Angie Martinez IRL - Savannah James & April McDaniel: Finding The Normal In An Abnormal Life

Summary

Joe and Jada Podcast x Angie Martinez IRL:

Savannah James & April McDaniel: Finding The Normal In An Abnormal Life
Release Date: July 9, 2026
Hosts: Angie Martinez (IRL), with featured guests Savannah James & April McDaniel
Podcast by iHeartPodcasts & The Volume

---

OVERVIEW

This vibrant, honest episode brings together Savannah James and April McDaniel—longtime friends, business partners, and now co-hosts of the podcast "Everybody’s Crazy"—with Angie Martinez for a wide-ranging, candid conversation. The trio discusses their intimate 17-year friendship, the challenges (and humor) of maintaining normalcy amid abnormal, high-profile lives, the power of female friendship, and embracing their authentic voices in public and private. They share unfiltered thoughts about family, operating in the spotlight, personal growth, friendship red flags, and the realities behind the curated images people see.

---

KEY DISCUSSION POINTS & INSIGHTS

1. Being Private in the Public Eye

• Both Savannah and April admit to hating interviews and preferring to operate behind the scenes.
  • "The bane of my existence." – Savannah, on interviews (02:15)
  • They discuss the gap between public perception ("unproblematic queen") and their actual complex personalities.

2. Beginnings of a Friendship and Keeping It Real

• The friendship dates back 17 years, formed when April worked with LeBron James' team; Savannah was 17 and quietly hanging back, wary of the NBA wives' hierarchy.
  • Savannah on being guarded: "I wasn't as welcomed as I thought I would be... these ladies do not care about me." (05:42)
  • April: "Consistency ... If you're not consistent, how do you really depend on somebody?" (07:11)

3. Family, Motherhood, and Finding Normalcy

• Savannah speaks about the support from her tight family unit and keeping her world small in her teens and early motherhood.
  • "My family was there, obviously LeBron was there. So I'm like, cool, right here." (08:09)
• Both guests reflect on trying to raise grounded kids in a unique spotlight, battling entitlement, and imposing structure.
  • April: "There's something about grit that made me who I am, and it’s hard to give that to kids that are not in a certain environment." (48:07)

4. Navigating Public Misperceptions

• The group laughs about being perceived as serious or uptight, while revealing their love of CVS couponing and the occasional “ratchet night.”
  • Savannah: "Y'all don't know, I'm actually a little crazy, actually." (02:59)
• Efforts to maintain normalcy, like driving themselves and attending local events without security.
  • Savannah: "I just live. I feel like our life is so abnormal. I try to keep it as normal as possible." (15:13)

5. “Everybody’s Crazy” and Stepping Into the Spotlight

• Discuss creating their podcast to reflect authentic stories, challenge the “got-it-together” myth, and highlight vulnerability.
  • April: "We want to show more of a human side ... no one is exempt from hardship." (28:45)
  • Savannah: "I think it's interesting people even want to talk to me." (31:20)

6. Friendship—Rules, Red Flags & Radical Honesty

• Explores dynamics, values, and boundaries in female friendships.
  • “Radical honesty” regarded as essential—even if uncomfortable.
    • April: "If you can't have real conversation, what are we talking about?" (21:59)
  • The “should I tell my friend I saw her man out?” dilemma—April is always direct ("I'm the last person you want to see." (68:12)), Savannah less confrontational but equally loyal.
  • Discussing different levels and tiers of friends; April holds a strict "all-in-or-nothing" approach.

7. Main Character Energy: Growth and Purpose

• Both women talk about stepping out of supportive roles and into their own "main character" energy.
  • Savannah’s tipping point: Her daughter expressing the desire to be like her inspired her to lead by example. (34:50)
  • On making mistakes publicly: "I'm starting to see the beauty in making a mistake and learning from it as opposed to making a mistake and being judged for it." – Savannah (35:56)

8. Balancing Authenticity & Boundaries

• Reflections on protecting one’s peace, staying grounded, and curating their circles:
  • April: “I'm not for everybody. Everybody's not for everybody... If I'm not talking, that means I don't know nobody there, and I'm good.” (69:03)
  • Savannah is more open, describing recent new friendships and now trusting herself more. (70:28)

9. Work, Passions, & Quirky Hobbies

• April doesn’t do “glam”; she shops with coupons and plans low-key artsy outings: "The arts is really important for me... always curating something." (44:23)
• Savannah decompresses with Pilates, pottery, and walks: "I like to go on long walk around LA. I like Pilates... If I had the space, I would have a pottery studio." (44:37)

---

NOTABLE QUOTES & MEMORABLE MOMENTS

• "Everybody thinks it looks like this... you don't really know. That's why we created Everybody's Crazy, to be honest, because everybody thinks it looks like this." – April (10:09)
• On radical honesty: "You want me to say some shit or you're delusional. Like, that's how I feel." – April (22:00)
• "Main character energy" struggles: "I spent the last year being in fear. Like, in fear about everything we're working on." – April (34:05)
• Savannah’s daughter as motivation: "When my daughter said she wanted to be like me... I had to show up differently." (34:50)
• On being both grounded and famous: "Our life is so abnormal. I try to keep it as normal as possible. Sometimes I go a little too far with it." – Savannah (15:13)
• On seeing your friend's man out: "If you're getting a video a snap before I leave the fucking restaurant. And I'm liable to walk to the table!" – April (65:46)
• Fat Joe engagement story: "I turn around, and [LeBron] was on his knee... I just busted out crying... I go in the bathroom, and the doors are locked. Joe opened up the door like ‘oh, oh, oh’, because I'm balling—he don't know what to say." – Savannah (55:13)
• "I feel like we're growing into something that we have not yet imagined." – April (78:05)
• “If God were to text you right now, what would it say?” Savannah: “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.” April: “Enjoy the ride.” (92:17–92:32)

---

TIMESTAMPS FOR IMPORTANT SEGMENTS

• Savannah describes Fat Joe at her engagement: 55:13–56:58
• Becoming friends & Savannah in the NBA world: 04:02–06:43
• On the importance of consistency in friendship: 07:11
• April describes being "all-in" with friendships & honesty: 20:40–22:00
• Discussion: Keeping life normal in an abnormal world: 13:55–15:40
• Developing 'main character energy' & parenting inspiration: 34:45–35:46
• Should you tell your friend you saw her man?: 65:07–68:44
• Friendship red flags & tiers: 68:44–71:23
• "Everybody's Crazy" podcast’s purpose and execution: 28:45–31:29
• April supports Savannah after a breakup: 38:16–38:52
• Met Gala and big career/life moments: 86:52–89:34

---

THE PODCAST'S TONE & LANGUAGE

The episode is playful, raw, and peppered with good-natured ribbing, lots of laughter, and moments of vulnerability. All three women are earnest about their desire to show up authentically, discuss hard truths, and celebrate the joy (as well as the mess) of women’s real lives and friendships. Their language shifts easily between joking about coupons and club nights to delivering heartfelt wisdom about love, motherhood, growth, and legacy.

---

CLOSING THOUGHT

Savannah and April’s friendship epitomizes mutual support, radical honesty, and an ongoing evolution from "supportive background character" to center stage. Their hope is to reflect that journey for other women and show that you can embrace mess, mistakes, and authenticity—and still find joy, sisterhood, and success.

"If God were to text you right now, what would it say?

Savannah: 'You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.' (92:17)
April: 'Enjoy the ride.' (92:26)"

For more, find "Everybody’s Crazy" wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow their journey as they continue to redefine what “normal” looks like at the intersection of celebrity, family, friendship, and real life.

Transcript

[Savannah James]

This is an iHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.

[Colin Coward]

Hi, it's Colin Coward from the Colin Coward podcast. All right. You know what deserves more attention? The assists. Everybody talks about the goal. A big moment that gets replayed on the highlight reels. But too often we overlook all the contributions and collabs that happen along the way. That's true in soccer and honestly, true in life. Halion is shining a light on the assists. An official partner of U.S. soccer, they got a whole lineup of brands ready to deliver for you. So here they are. Sensodyne Dentist recommended. Defense of your sensitive teeth. Centrum. Fueling your day with science backed nutrients. Advil, of course. Powerful inflammation fighting pain relief. Voltaren arthritis gel helps penetrate deep, keeps the joints moving and tums ready to counterattack with fast heartburn relief. These are brands that are ready to deliver your essential wellness assists. Because every goal starts with an assistant. Learn how Halion can assist your game day [e-mail] Con this episode sponsored by Ridwell.

[Angie Martinez]

Ever tossed something into your recycling bin

[April McDaniel]

and just hoped it would get recycled?

[Angie Martinez]

That's wish cycling. And most of the time those items

[April McDaniel]

don't actually get recycled. Ridwell makes it simple to get it right. Ridwell helps you recycle the things your curbside bin doesn't take, like plastic bags, snack wrappers, pill bottles and bottle caps. Getting started is easy. Just order a starter kit, fill the bags, send them back for free, and Ridwell takes care of the rest.

[Angie Martinez]

Start [e-mail] can you tell me the fat Joe story? Why was he involved or at your engagement?

[Savannah James]

By happenstance, he was involved. But I go in the bathroom and the doors are closed, like locked. So I'm like, they're like knocking, like, can we please get in here? Please get in here. And Joe opened up the door like, oh, oh, oh. Because I'm balling. Like he don't know what to say. So they're like, oh, she just got proposed to.

[Angie Martinez]

Does he know who you are? Or he doesn't? Maybe.

[Savannah James]

I don't know.

[Angie Martinez]

Hey, guys. This episode is brought to you by Boost Mobile. Please welcome Savannah James and April McDaniel to IRL.

[April McDaniel]

Hi, guys.

[Savannah James]

Hi. Hi, Angie.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you do interviews a lot? Or is this like a never.

[Savannah James]

The bane of my existence.

[Angie Martinez]

You hate it.

[April McDaniel]

Hate it.

[Angie Martinez]

Tell me why. Talk to me about it. What is it that. What is the thing?

[April McDaniel]

I don't know.

[Savannah James]

I just would rather be quiet. Quiet.

[Angie Martinez]

You know how it was so surprising to me when you guys launched this pod for that reason alone? Because I felt like, you know, Savannah gets so much of, like, she's our unproblematic queen. That's what they.

[Savannah James]

You know what I'm saying?

[Angie Martinez]

That's. That's how they put you.

[Savannah James]

Keep it that way. Right. And you like it.

[Angie Martinez]

And I'm sure you're problematic like every other human being in private life.

[Savannah James]

Right.

[Angie Martinez]

But you never really showed that.

[Savannah James]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

So when you guys decided to launch the pot, I even saw that in some of the comments, like, no, Savannah, don't. Don't ruin it. Don't talk. We like you.

[Savannah James]

Like, I'm like, y' all don't know. I'm actually a little crazy, actually.

[Angie Martinez]

Are you?

[Savannah James]

But it's fine.

[Angie Martinez]

Just a little bit. But what made you want to come outside and give people a little bit more of you?

[Savannah James]

To be honest, I think it's that, like, I definitely have a personality.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

I definitely have a voice. I use it.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Maybe a little bit of a practice, because to use it publicly is not what I typically like to do. So coming out of my little box a little bit more in that way is a baby challenge. But it's fun.

[Angie Martinez]

Whose idea was it in the first place?

[Savannah James]

I think it was both couples together. Both.

[April McDaniel]

I feel like we always have aha moments. Like, you know, you're, like, talking to your friend. I'm like, this would be genius. She, like, yeah, girl. Like, she is the battery.

[Angie Martinez]

But I was gonna say, were you surprised as her friend, somebody who knows her so well and know how she's perceived that she was, like, down to do this?

[April McDaniel]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

No, you weren't.

[April McDaniel]

This is who she really is.

[Angie Martinez]

Cause you know her better than most people. Yes.

[April McDaniel]

I'm like, y' all are confused.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay, take me to the friendship. So we have 17 years. Is that right?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a long time.

[April McDaniel]

Long time.

[Angie Martinez]

Long time. It started. You guys are like babies. And how. I know you were working with LeBron,

[April McDaniel]

and so I've done all of LeBron stuff for years. Like, outside of basketball.

[Angie Martinez]

When you say stuff, what's that?

[April McDaniel]

Events, Experiential, creative.

[Angie Martinez]

How did you get that job?

[April McDaniel]

Worked with Maverick. I came up in the industry with Mav and Rich, and I think we all just stuck together. Like, as we came up, we all leaned on each other. And I think being a black female a lot, I would go to the guys, like, what y' all think? Should I do this? Should I do that? And they'd be like, yeah, girl, you should do that. And I'd be like, okay, great. So I think just, like, being in the entrepreneur space. And they're not being a lot of females.

[Angie Martinez]

They're really good, those guys, too. I haven't spent a lot of time around them, but I have been in rooms, at dinners, and they are. I don't know. They are. They share information. Rich, Matt. Like, they share information. I've had moments where I was pivoting, and I'd be like, hey, Mav, sorry to bother. Can I pick your brain? He's like, absolutely. Here's the time. Like, they're.

[Savannah James]

They're.

[Angie Martinez]

I don't know, just supportive of women in that way.

[Savannah James]

Yes.

[April McDaniel]

And so they were super supportive of me. And I think I did a lot of things that had more risk. And I kind of was like, I'm gonna do this and be like, all right, we can support. Whether it be clutch, whether it be Spring Hill over the years. So all of the businesses that are LJ adjacent and around him, I kind of helped support in some sort of way. And Savannah would be at events, and I'd be like, hey, what are you doing? And she'd be in the corner, like, not talking. I'm like, she got a lot to say. I wonder what she was going to say.

[Angie Martinez]

Were you, like, determined to crack her up?

[April McDaniel]

Like, were you on a mission? No, I was like, what you got to say?

[Angie Martinez]

And what was going on with you? Are you just, like, protective?

[Savannah James]

Protective? I think coming into the NBA, yeah, I wasn't as welcomed as I thought I would be. So I took that as like, let me just sit back here and chill, because these ladies do not care about me. It was much more hierarchy. I feel like back in the day.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, you were a big girl.

[Savannah James]

Because I was a girl.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

And I'm a baby. Can y' all not real. I'm 17 years old, guys. I just want. I'm just like, hey. They like, you gonna be here long?

[April McDaniel]

I'm like, damn.

[Angie Martinez]

And you were 17 dealing with that.

[Savannah James]

And so I just chose to just stay to myself.

[Angie Martinez]

So here she come all. I'm like, hey, Shatty and shit.

[April McDaniel]

So that was the first year. Yes, that was the first year. And then I'm like, come on, come on. And then we were in the same city. We were both in Miami. And then that's when we got really close. Then she moved to Cleveland. I moved to la. And then I'm like, girl, you need to come to la. And she like, well, my husband plays in Cleveland. I was like, we gonna just like, I'm gonna manifest it. And the next thing you know, he came to la. And she was like, I'm coming to la. I was like, what?

[Angie Martinez]

But what was the thing, what was the thing that made you trust her? Cause you clearly had been had. You had walls up. Probably protecting yourself from. And rightfully so, I'm sure.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, I don't know, I feel like it's the way people show up. You know, you can tell who's really in your corner, who really mess with you in a real way. Like, I just think it was that and how she showed up for me and understanding. Like I was in the corner sitting quiet, like, and trying to get the best out of me. So I think it was just that.

[April McDaniel]

And I think consistency. I think people don't realize how big consistency is in friendships and in relationships. Like, if you're not consistent, how do you really depend on somebody?

[Angie Martinez]

It's crazy now because you're grown and we see you and you know, she got the good outfits on and y' all got your pod and stuff. But thinking of a 17 year old girl, 17 is, first of all, you as a mother at 18 is wild. My mother was. My mother was a mother at 18. And now as an adult, when I think about that, because I got a 20 year old and a 23 year old, I'm like, no way. They can't have no babies.

[April McDaniel]

Absolutely not.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, I don't know. What were you like at 17, 18?

[Savannah James]

Just trying to figure it out. It was a lot going on. I was thankful though, to be home. I think that's. That helped a lot. I was with my family still. I have my mom and dad and my sisters. My nephew was very much a foundation that I was able to lean on at that time. So it didn't bother me, like, not having external, I guess, relationships.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Because my family was there, obviously LeBron was there. So I'm like, cool, right here.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm gonna be right here. Quiet. Yeah.

[Savannah James]

My best friend too is from Akron, so I had her.

[Angie Martinez]

You had her, that's good. So you kept your circle tight.

[Savannah James]

Super.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Still.

[Angie Martinez]

Still. I mean, you know, it's as adults and you know, because you've been in the business a long time, it's like when you're popping, you're like a magnet for like, you know, opportunists, people who want to get in the game, people who want to just be close to you because, yeah, y' all popping like, you know, just think as a young girl at 17, 18, trying to navigate how to. When to let people in. Must have been very challenging.

[Savannah James]

It was, but I just didn't Just to be honest, like, I just didn't. Yeah, I just didn't.

[Angie Martinez]

But that doesn't. To a young girl, that doesn't get, like, I don't know, like, looking out the window, like, what them girls doing out there? Like, what they doing at the club or what they doing outside?

[Savannah James]

This is pre social.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, okay.

[Savannah James]

Too, like, there was no social media. I don't know what was going on. I'm in Ohio, down the street from where I grew up, chilling, raising my babies. Yeah, it was fine.

[Angie Martinez]

She's like, it was fine.

[Savannah James]

It was fine.

[Angie Martinez]

And then hear this one come along.

[April McDaniel]

Like, hey, guys, we gonna be friends, and we gonna be outside.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, what was it about Savannah that you felt like?

[April McDaniel]

I think for me, I felt like I saw a shell of a person. Cause I was like, she's not. That's not her real self. She's not this quiet. So I was like, let's see if it's true. Like, and then I was just consistent.

[Angie Martinez]

You just over there.

[April McDaniel]

Then once the shell cracked, I was like, oh, Lord, this is.

[Angie Martinez]

Let me hold my seat.

[Savannah James]

Don'.

[April McDaniel]

This is a ball of fun.

[Angie Martinez]

What surprised you the most?

[April McDaniel]

I think, oh, my God, she's so layered. I think she just has so many facets of who she is. Like, you know, I think the world sees her as, like, this royal, quiet, like, kind of, you know, reserved person.

[Angie Martinez]

You think that's funny, right?

[April McDaniel]

And I think she is really a diamond, and I think when you shine light on it, it has different facets to showing how people can look one way and you don't really know. And I think that is the importance of people keeping and making sure they're curious. Because I think you never know with someone's story. What you see is not. And that's why we created Everybody's crazy, to be honest, because everybody thinks it looks like this. Even when we walked in, you were like, where? Where's the team? We was like, they came in here,

[Angie Martinez]

no glams, no announcement.

[April McDaniel]

She curled my hair.

[Angie Martinez]

She's curly.

[April McDaniel]

I just think people believe one thing, and they don't really know, but stop.

[Angie Martinez]

Because y' all be having. Especially you. You having glam and squad sometimes. Don't do that.

[Savannah James]

I do. I enjoy it.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. You know, ever.

[April McDaniel]

No, I mean, I get my hair done, and then I'm just improvised. Like, y' all gonna get what y' all gonna get. I'm not paying for glam because I like to shop. Like, I'll. I always say to her, like, I'm like, that is Expensive. She's like, that's not that expensive. I'm like, that's a waste of money. We need to like just small things. I'm layered like that. I'm also layered. Like, I still go to cvs. You probably use coupons.

[Angie Martinez]

Pull her outside.

[April McDaniel]

I got CVS with coupons.

[Savannah James]

Give me your coupons. When you check out,

[April McDaniel]

Ripple up my wallet.

[Angie Martinez]

It all. I have the cvs. The account that you put the thing in and then you get.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, don't lie.

[Angie Martinez]

All right, I don't care. My wallet. But I do use it.

[April McDaniel]

Thank you very much. CVS coupons are the truth.

[Angie Martinez]

This. I don't know if you had these, but remember Bed, Bath and Beyond.

[April McDaniel]

You a got yes.

[Angie Martinez]

You know the 20%, the year in

[April McDaniel]

sale, the urine sale too.

[Angie Martinez]

And you can also use them at home, cuz. Double up, yo. That is.

[April McDaniel]

That's what I mean. Like we found.

[Angie Martinez]

There's no way you know about any of this.

[April McDaniel]

Girl, I do. How do you know?

[Angie Martinez]

How do you know? Come on.

[April McDaniel]

I mean, tell me. No, but she'll tell me about the Sephora sale. Like online. You be like, oh, it's 2030 if you VIP. I'm not VIP. Sephora. I'm VIP or CVS.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes, but she told me.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, she'll tell like that.

[Savannah James]

But the CVS is. No, I'm not doing that.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, I do.

[Savannah James]

I use my account to get my receipt emailed. That's it.

[Angie Martinez]

And get out of there.

[April McDaniel]

See, that's the two of us. Hey, guys.

[Angie Martinez]

Today's show is brought to you by our presenting sponsor, Hard Rock Bet. Being rebellious doesn't mean quitting your job and moving to an island. Sometimes being rebellious just means taking a few minutes to do exactly whatever it is you want to do. And that's where Hard Rock Bet comes in, where your inner rebel plays. If you're in New Jersey or Michigan, the Hard Rock Bet casino app has thousands of your favorite games from the casino floor. Like slots, blackjack, roulette, whatever you like. And here's what I really appreciate from Hard Rock Bet. There's no nonsense when you sign up. What you see is what you get. If you don't win in your first 24 hours after signing up, you get up to $1,000 back in casino bonus to play again. Plus you get 500 bonus spins for cash Eruption with winnings paid in cash. Now. Florida, listen up. Hard Rock Bet isn't forgetting about you guys. If you like slots, they have something for you too. Check out games powered by Pass Motor Racing. It's not a social casino. These are real money games that are thrilling, fun, and exciting. And you can play with as little as 20 cents, or you can try your luck at a bigger win or all the way up to a million bucks. The best part, again, there's no gimmicks. If you're a new customer in Florida, sign up and deposit $10 to get a $100 game bonus instantly. That's some extra fuel for your spins. So if you're ready to take some time for yourself today, download the Hard Rock bet app and make your first deposit. That's the Hard Rock Bet Casino, where your inner rebel plays. Can you go to regular stuff? Can you walk around normal? Or do people.

[Savannah James]

I shouldn't. But I do. You do I do I. But people like, the other day we went to the Blue Note in LA to the Cash Co Bang show. Shout out to Cash Co Bang.

[Angie Martinez]

Nice.

[Savannah James]

And I parked like I was coming from a nail appointment, and I just parked like.

[Angie Martinez]

I finally went to this nail salon. No. Yeah. Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Are you okay, bitch?

[Savannah James]

So I don't know why I think

[Angie Martinez]

Savannah lives the life of, like. I don't know. Did you get, like, carted around?

[April McDaniel]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

The nail girl comes to your bedroom.

[Savannah James]

My nail girl hates doing in house stuff.

[Angie Martinez]

She doesn't go to her.

[April McDaniel]

And I enjoy.

[Angie Martinez]

All right, I'm gonna start treating you like a regular.

[Savannah James]

I enjoy going to get my nails done. Also, she charged too much.

[April McDaniel]

Exactly.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Got it.

[Savannah James]

But let's give it up. But I came to the show, and there's no valet at the Blue Note in la. So I'm like, damn, where am I parked? So I'm driving around. I find this little parking spot with this little man sitting. I said, sir, how much is the. Is the parking? He's like, $10. I'm like, great.

[Angie Martinez]

Park.

[Savannah James]

Go to the Blue Note. So I'm standing there waiting for April to get there, and I see.

[Angie Martinez]

By yourself?

[Savannah James]

Yeah, yeah, I see it's a cart there, and the lady is selling cakes, and she's like, I do this a lot. Hey, anybody ever tell you you look like Savannah James? I'd be like, I get that a lot. After the fact. I came out and another friend of ours is trying to help us. Like, where y' all park at? I'm gonna take you to the car. And I'm like, okay, it's over here. So they looking at me like, savannah, you parked all the way over here. You walked over here. I'm like, yeah. Like, what was I supposed to do? It's no valet. Like, I drove myself. But I just don't. I don't know. I just live. I feel like our life is so abnormal. I try to keep it as normal as possible. You know, sometimes I go a little too far with it and be like, you know, you should have had security or somebody here with you. But try to stay normal.

[Angie Martinez]

Heard. What else does she do that's normal? What else?

[April McDaniel]

I think most of our life is. Most of her life is normal. And I feel like we like ratchet.

[Angie Martinez]

Ratchet shit.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, we do. We do we be doing ratchet shit?

[Angie Martinez]

What's the ratchettish? You've done this this month?

[Savannah James]

I would say the most. Ratchet would have been the trap till the sun came.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, Jesus.

[Angie Martinez]

What was happening?

[Savannah James]

Booby trap. Booby trap. And when we came out, the sun was on the horizon.

[Angie Martinez]

We were like,

[April McDaniel]

but we have so much fun.

[Savannah James]

We love it.

[Angie Martinez]

You love it? Love it.

[April McDaniel]

We have a time, though. I think we do whatever we want to do. And I think Savannah normally is like, oh, let's try this. And we're like, let's try it.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you do this because, you know, I have some friends that are like, they can't go walk around, right? Like, Mary is one of my friends. So we go out. I always feel almost. And I almost feel like jump into, like, security mode. Like, I become the friend. It's not just in, like, security, like, is she okay? But I also am very protective.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, I'm like that of like. And we make sure security set up. Everything's set up. Like, I feel like.

[Angie Martinez]

But not just that, but I mean, like, you know, when you have access to things, it's like a lot of opportunity opportunists, other friend, new friends.

[April McDaniel]

I think we give welcoming like that. I think people just be rolling up on us. I'd be looking like, no, it's okay.

[Angie Martinez]

We don't get welcoming.

[April McDaniel]

No, I don't think we do. Who.

[Angie Martinez]

Who more so than the other?

[April McDaniel]

She's a nice one. I'd be like, ma'. Am. No, it's like, I'm not chit chatting. I'm not. She's like, hey. Hi. Oh. I'm like, no, no. Come on, Savannah, let's go see.

[Savannah James]

So there you go.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. So you're. You're the one.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, she's chatting and let's go. No, Nobody taking no pictures of us nowhere. Let's get out of here. Like, that's why no one ever sees anything, because it's giving dodge and weave.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, but do you become then does the dynamic make you become then like the protector? In some ways I just feel like

[April McDaniel]

innately I'm not really that welcoming. I don't give.

[Angie Martinez]

What is that? Why?

[Savannah James]

What is the.

[April McDaniel]

I just don't think I'm a chatter like that. I'm very protective of my personal energy.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

So I'm not like, oh, my God, hi. And I'm not fake. So if I don't like it, I'll be like, samantha, oh my God, you can't do that. I'm like, I don't like it. Like, I'll go sit in the corner and be doing whatever. She be chatting with whatever. And I'll be like, okay. And they come over, chat with me. I say, no, keep chatting with her. Keep chatting with her.

[Angie Martinez]

She gonna chat with you.

[April McDaniel]

You know, then you start wanting to drink the alcohol. I said, I said, no, get your own alcoholing.

[Angie Martinez]

And Savannah's like, hey, smell.

[April McDaniel]

Cause I'm gonna drink it again.

[Savannah James]

That is funny.

[April McDaniel]

And it works, so it's okay.

[Angie Martinez]

So what is the key then from each of you? What do you think it takes to be a good friend or to a long lasting to have a long friendship?

[Savannah James]

I think it's a very clear level of understanding. I can sometimes disappear. I need to recharge. My social battery is on E. So I'll just disappear and people be looking for me. And all the things where you go, Savannah, just home, just not looking at my phone, not responding, not doing the things that people typically do. And I think that it comes with a level of that understanding that, you know, sometimes I need my space just personally. And then the grace that your friend is able to show you, like, okay, I get where she is right now. Let me give her a minute. I think a very clear level of understanding for me is where a good

[Angie Martinez]

friendship and your best friend too, that you grew up with. You've been friends for my whole life.

[Savannah James]

Your whole Life for almost 40 years. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. So how. How have you had to. I don't know, what have you learned about that?

[Savannah James]

Like, with that. I think you have to be mindful of meeting people where they are and going with them on their journey and loving them through all of the things that they go through. I mean, life be life in word. And I think that just being there, to be honest, as a sounding board or whatever we live. I live in la, she's in Ohio. So we don't speak every day, but when we do, it's really just catching up exactly where we left off. It's nothing weird. It's nothing.

[April McDaniel]

Like, it's just.

[Savannah James]

Everything is just normal.

[Angie Martinez]

When you have a friend like that, it becomes almost like, fam. I have one, two. We've been best friends since we're eight years old. So you can imagine this big age. She knows shit about me, I forgot. You know what I'm saying? But I think it becomes almost like a family member where if you don't talk for a month, it's like your cousin or your sister, you still gonna jump right back into that, which is good. What about you? What do you got?

[April McDaniel]

I take friendship very seriously. Like, I'm not really playing about my friends, so there's no in between for me. Like, I don't have associates. None. And, you know, like, sometimes when you talk to people and they're like, oh, it's tiered friends, you know, like, this is my top tier. No, all my friends are on the same level. They're on the same playing field. For me, it is consistency and how you show up and how you support me in the things that I fall short on. And then how I can do the same for you is so important. I feel like as you evolve, you need different things at different times in your life. And your friend has to almost be able to meet you there. But I also think radical honesty. Like, I think sometimes people are in relationships and friendships that are just not honest. Like, people are like, oh, I don't really wanna say that. Or, like, that's gonna hurt that person's feelings. Or. I don't.

[Angie Martinez]

You say it.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah. And I also want someone to say it to me because I think that allows you to grow. And I think a lot of people don't wanna live in that space. They, like, I think.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, because sometimes radical honesty requires, like, a level of confrontation. Yes. Like, and some people do not like that.

[April McDaniel]

I mean, then what is friendship? What is relationship? If you can't have real conversation, I'm like, what are we talking about? That's why I don't have any in between friends. Because you want me to say some shit. Are you're delusional? Like, that's how I feel. I'm like, are you okay?

[Angie Martinez]

Give me an example of what that looks like, though. Like, really? Like, what does that mean when you say honesty with your friends? Like, are you telling them their hair looks bad?

[Savannah James]

Something you told me.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. What's something you told. What was a radical piece of honesty you gave Savannah?

[April McDaniel]

I'm like, you can't be on calls not saying nothing. Like, sitting there.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a good friend.

[April McDaniel]

Sitting there looking like. I'm like, smile, do something. Engage a little bit. Like, you're killing me. Okay. All right. I'm. Work on it. You know?

[Angie Martinez]

But she takes it well.

[April McDaniel]

I mean. Yeah, you have to, because it's only. It is. We're in business together.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

So, like, what?

[Savannah James]

I.

[April McDaniel]

You know, then it looks like the partnership is lopsided.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

When it's not. Because when the door is closed, she'd be like, all right, let me tell you what we want to do. And I'd be like, well, why didn't you say that on the call if you had an opinion? Well, why did it.

[Angie Martinez]

What is it? What did you get to. Is it shy? Or is it just you're used to, like, not letting people in or what?

[Savannah James]

No, no, no. I don't think it's that. I think it's just that I am not really. Like, when I said that POD is an exercise for using my voice, I meant that, like, I really would prefer to just be like. And then come back. Like, that was some dumbass shit. What are we talking.

[April McDaniel]

That's what she be doing. I'd be like, why are you.

[Savannah James]

Oh, my God.

[April McDaniel]

You thought it was dumb. And you was sitting there like. I'm like, I thought this shit was crazy, and I was popping off.

[Savannah James]

Also, we just did an exercise. We did an Enneagram exercise.

[Angie Martinez]

Explain.

[Savannah James]

I. So you answer all of these questions. It's like 30 minutes worth of questions to answer.

[April McDaniel]

No, we did it in private.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay. Yes.

[Savannah James]

And this is one through nine. And you are this certain type of person as the way that you show up.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, yes.

[Savannah James]

I am a quiet peacemaker. Yeah. So on the calls, I would prefer to say, okay, I get that. I understand. And then go back and be like, this is what I really think. Because I don't want to ruffle no feathers.

[April McDaniel]

Right. And I'm an active controller, so I'm like, the fuck is happening?

[Angie Martinez]

Wait, tell me about this personality thing you did.

[April McDaniel]

You need to take it. Tell me, what is it called? It's called an Enneagram test.

[Angie Martinez]

Enneagram.

[April McDaniel]

I've heard this how, like, what kind of person you are, how you see the world.

[Savannah James]

What are the questions where you like,

[April McDaniel]

how you make decisions? So a lot of people make decisions. Well, people make decisions. Gut, Heart or head? I'm gut. Savannah is hard.

[Savannah James]

Aw.

[April McDaniel]

Right? So I be like, no. She like, oh, let's have a drink. I'm like, not happening. I don't like it. So. And then some people are head, which means they come from like, a knowledge standpoint of like, hi, what am I?

[Angie Martinez]

Brittany, head isn't Mexican.

[April McDaniel]

You got some white in your head.

[Angie Martinez]

I think.

[April McDaniel]

I think your heart.

[Angie Martinez]

You do?

[April McDaniel]

I do.

[Angie Martinez]

Based on what?

[April McDaniel]

That's my gut, period. I have gut, too.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't think.

[Savannah James]

I think your heart think the same.

[Angie Martinez]

You think of my heart?

[Savannah James]

Little gut, too. No, just like a. Like a duality.

[Angie Martinez]

We got a duality. Of course, we probably all have a little bit of all things, but what do you lead with? I guess you think heart. That's so interesting.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I don't think you have been able to lead like that, but I think that's who you really are.

[Angie Martinez]

My natural state.

[April McDaniel]

Your natural.

[Angie Martinez]

My natural state is a little bit different than what my career has.

[April McDaniel]

Correct.

[Angie Martinez]

Forced me to become.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I'm saying? Like, so I would like to. I would actually.

[Savannah James]

You're right.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

You're good. Oh, my God.

[April McDaniel]

I'm like, don't take that drink from that girl.

[Angie Martinez]

In my most natural state, I would probably like to be on the call and be like, yeah, I would like to do that too, but I don't have the luxury of that. And also, I'm trying to do certain shit. And you're gonna probably. You're probably experiencing some of this too.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, sure.

[Angie Martinez]

Where you're like, that's my natural state. But if I want to get from

[April McDaniel]

A to B, I have to show up differently.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm gonna show up differently. I'm gonna show it. And so I think the training that I've had over the past 30 years.

[April McDaniel]

Yes. But that's also the conversation we have when I. When she's on the call, like, quiet. And I'm like, hey, you gotta say something.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

You know, and so this is like

[Angie Martinez]

fully pushing you out of your comfort zone way.

[Savannah James]

But I'm. I'm prepared and I think it's time.

[Angie Martinez]

You think it's time? Do you have to, like, consult with. Because you. I. And forgive me if I think of this wrong, like you keep saying. Are you okay? I imagine Savannah has to run things by a council. Like, she has to.

[Savannah James]

They probably would like me to.

[Angie Martinez]

They would like you to. Right. But in my mind, I imagine. Because it's not just you. You represent your family, really. Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You know, so it's not like you're moving through the world by yourself.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

So if you do. If you go wild and you go rogue and you get into some crazy ass, it doesn't just affect you, it affects your family. So you have to kind Of, I

[Savannah James]

don't know, navigate it, navigate that. Yeah. I think they will love me too. But I think at the end of the day, they know that I'm not going to do anything that's going to jeopardize.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Anything that has been built.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Today. So I think there's a certain level of trust there. I mean, and so far, it's been, so far, so much support. So. Yeah, they love that.

[April McDaniel]

Super supportive.

[Angie Martinez]

How do the kids feel? Like, does everybody. Is. Do they like seeing you in this way? Like, mom's out doing potting and interviewing.

[Savannah James]

Not care?

[Angie Martinez]

They don't care.

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

What do you mean?

[Savannah James]

Well, they're supportive as well, but like, as a check in, they just be like, oh, you gotta go to work. What you gotta go do?

[April McDaniel]

Like shit like that.

[Savannah James]

But supportive like the boys. Well, Zuri and Bryce have called into the pod, so. That's nice.

[Angie Martinez]

It's so cute.

[Savannah James]

And Bronnie is doing his own thing. Bronnie is 21 and thugging.

[Angie Martinez]

He is outside, not 21 and thugging.

[Savannah James]

He is living his best life.

[April McDaniel]

I love that for him.

[Angie Martinez]

And LeBron won't call in or you don't want him to call in?

[Savannah James]

He's called.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, he has called in.

[Savannah James]

He's called.

[April McDaniel]

He's called. And he was on.

[Savannah James]

He's lived. He's come on live with us. And he.

[April McDaniel]

He's super supportive. I think it's so nice. But we, like, we don't. I don't know nothing about basketball. Not a thing.

[Angie Martinez]

Shut up. How do you work with all these guys and you don't have nothing?

[Savannah James]

It's okay.

[April McDaniel]

I've been to three games in my whole life. And you got a friend who could

[Angie Martinez]

probably get you good tickets.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah. She be inviting me all the time. Like, girl, LeBron's like, don't bring her to the game. She talk too much. I'll be over there talking the whole game. And he'd be like this playing like you two are just chatting, like, watch the game. So I feel like, I mean, just basketball, I'm just like, it's not where I want to spend my time and energy.

[Angie Martinez]

So what have you guys learned about. I don't know. Cause like you said, it's out of your comfort zone and you never did a pod. I mean, you. This is not fully out of your comfort zone in terms of, you know, I don't know, just having what I do.

[April McDaniel]

I think I've always been behind the camera.

[Angie Martinez]

That's what I mean.

[April McDaniel]

I think for us, it's not so much about us, though. I think a lot of people think that it is or we did it because of that. I think the way we see the world and the way a lot of other people see the world is just very different. And I think we want to show more of a human side of, like, no one has it together. No one. Like, no one is exempt of hardship. No one in life. Like, whatever your hardship may be, no one is there to judge. But I think just bringing some humanity to, like, how people are seeing the world and just understanding the pressure people are under.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And even when you have the most resources, when you're evolving, it's hard. Like, and I think when you bring conversation to it, it makes people feel like they're not alone, you know? And I think that's why we started.

[Angie Martinez]

It's like you were born to do this, though, April. You jump right into it. Like, I don't know. You just.

[April McDaniel]

I feel like we're comfortable with each other. If it was someone else, I don't think I would be.

[Angie Martinez]

But even now, you're, like, you're doing interviews, you're doing press, you're outside, girl.

[Savannah James]

No stress. Stress?

[Angie Martinez]

What do you mean? Who stressed? You or you? Both.

[April McDaniel]

Me more than anything.

[Savannah James]

Stress, because I just be like.

[Angie Martinez]

Like today. Like, why Tell me. Let's talk through that.

[April McDaniel]

I'd rather just be behind my computer making a lot of money.

[Angie Martinez]

So then why are you doing it?

[April McDaniel]

Because of what I just said. I think the humanity. And also, to be honest, even this is curated. We could have went on a million pods. We wanted you.

[Angie Martinez]

Aw.

[April McDaniel]

Like, that's the reality.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, cause of my heart.

[April McDaniel]

Because of your heart, because of who you are, because of the story. I know of you, because of the way. The way you tell your story. I think we are intentional with every move we make. If people think we're not, you're delusional if you think that. We don't think about it. We've never gone on anybody else's pod. So, like, when we started talking about doing this, we were very select on who that we want to tell our story with, because I think there is a level of integrity and, like, how people tell stories is really important. So I think for me, I'm nervous because doing it is more is bigger than us. I think people look at us and be like, oh, my God, celebrities or whatever, or talent or whatever. And I think it's so much bigger than that. I think what me and Savannah are trying to do and build is really for other people to see that they're not alone.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, yeah. I get that. What about you? What is this? Like, does this feel normal to you yet?

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

No, Still? Really?

[Savannah James]

So why?

[April McDaniel]

I still.

[Savannah James]

I don't know. I think she says it a lot. Like, are you okay? I still think it's interesting that people even want to talk to me.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, really?

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Are you okay? That should be another name for your pod, your next.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, I think it's interesting.

[Angie Martinez]

Do an episode called are you okay? We gonna do it.

[April McDaniel]

We gonna do it. Bring you on.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm like, please have me on. Cause I got questions. Are you okay?

[April McDaniel]

Are you okay?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Are you okay?

[Savannah James]

Yeah. But I do think, to Echo April, what we're building is way bigger, and I think it's only the tip of the iceberg at this point.

[Angie Martinez]

And what is the goal? What is the Mount Everest?

[Savannah James]

Like?

[Angie Martinez]

What do you. What do you want to build? What are you trying to build?

[April McDaniel]

So we're. We are. Ultimately, the end goal is we're going to have a holding company, and all of our businesses will roll into it. So crown and conquer. Everybody's crazy. Let it break. And I think what we're trying to build is just a place for people to understand that you can grow, you can laugh, you can be yourself, you can be authentic, you can put creative in the world for a. That are not represented, and you can still just be human. Like, none of this matters without people, period. Like, this show doesn't exist without your viewers hitting us and, you know, watching. I think everything is bigger than just two people. You know what I mean? And I think a lot of times people don't operate from that place. So I think everything we're touching is intentional, that we want impact. We want to see women thrive and grow. We want to see people realize that they're not alone. And we want to support other women, like you and other women around us doing great things, because it's rare. I think we act like this is normal. This is not normal.

[Angie Martinez]

None of it's normal.

[April McDaniel]

None of it's normal. Like, what you've been able to do, what we're doing, none of it is normal. And I think a lot of times a lot of women dim themselves. But I said to Savannah the other day, I'm like, this is big. Like, and it's okay to be big, you know? And I think both of us have been not okay to be big.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, we talk about that too here sometimes. Like, main character energy. Yeah, right. Like, you know, I have friends who are in. They might do glam or they do. You're in supportive roles.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

So you play the role and sometimes, you know, it's a struggle to pop out of a supportive role. I mean, you have one. You have one to pop out of a supportive role and jump into main character energy.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I'm saying?

[April McDaniel]

Agreed.

[Angie Martinez]

I wonder for you guys if that feels natural uncomfortable.

[April McDaniel]

I spent the last year being in fear.

[Angie Martinez]

What do you mean?

[April McDaniel]

Like, in fear about everything we're working on. What? I'd be like, what the fuck, Savannah? Like, girl, we could do it. I'm like, you're the we could do it.

[Angie Martinez]

I would think she would be the we could do it.

[April McDaniel]

She's the, we can do it all the time. We could do that. I'm like, woohoo.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

That's how we say with my money. Shaqirl, don't worry about it. We gonna do it. Like, what? This is all day. We can do it. Like. And I'm always like, oh, it took me so long to wrap my head around it.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, are you feeling. Do you feel main character energy for yourself now?

[April McDaniel]

I feel ready.

[Angie Martinez]

You do?

[April McDaniel]

I feel like we're ready.

[Angie Martinez]

What about you?

[Savannah James]

I agree.

[Angie Martinez]

Was there a transition for you, though?

[Savannah James]

Like, huge.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Tell me about that a little bit.

[Savannah James]

The biggest transition came to me when my daughter said she wanted to be like me. What? Like why? But she said it when she was like six and she's like, I'm like, why do you want to be like me? She's like, because you dance and you dress and you do your makeup and all things that are appealing to a six year old. It just. It scared me. And I'm like, I. Having the boys and being a mom and in that role and killing it in the way that I did, I

[Angie Martinez]

was okay with talk your mom shit. Yeah. Period.

[Savannah James]

And then when I had a daughter, I had to show up differently. Like, she's watching me. The boys ain't care. They, like want to play basketball and whatever, but it's really somebody that's sitting there watching every move that I make and what am I going to do to show her that she's worthy of whatever she wants to do? So.

[Angie Martinez]

So is that your motivation when you get uncomfortable? When you get uncomfortable hopping into main character energy?

[Savannah James]

Like, yes.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

At the end of the day, I'm like, it's not about me. Even though it is about me as well. Because I think it's therapy for me as well. But it's fine.

[Angie Martinez]

What has surprised you about that transition is anything but.

[April McDaniel]

It's actually not that bad.

[Angie Martinez]

It's not.

[Savannah James]

It's really not that bad. No. I think I was more so worried that I'm starting to see the beauty in making a mistake and learning from it as opposed to making a mistake and being judged for it. So I think that that's. Oh, that helped me.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Just be like, fuck it. If it happened and it go wrong, then. Okay, what did you learn? Did you learn something? All right, Keep it moving.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Because growth comes from the fuck ups.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Big time.

[Angie Martinez]

How you gonna fuck up if you're so worried about fucking up in front of everybody?

[April McDaniel]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

And then you're, like, stuck.

[April McDaniel]

I'm fucking up all the time. I'm like, who fucks up?

[Angie Martinez]

And I keep it moving. I fuck up regularly.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

I hate it still.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

So it's never get easy, but it never gets easy.

[April McDaniel]

But I feel like just embracing that is not gon exactly how you envisioned.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And going with the flow.

[Angie Martinez]

Tell me a time. Each of you tell me a time where the other one when you were becoming friends and you realize this. This she's a real one. Like, tell me a time when you had to show up. Or actually, you tell me a time Savannah showed up for you in a way that was meaningful to you.

[April McDaniel]

I talked a lot on the phone, which people just. We don't see each other a lot. Like, people like, how often do y' all hang out? We were like, I like to work. I get to business. So I mean, we talk FaceTime a lot, and we catch up a lot on the phone. And I think that that became like a security blanket for me that I didn't realize I needed. So, like, just being able to call, invent, or say something about my job or work or parenting, it was like I was like, oh, it's like being in, like, a little bootleg partnership.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I mean?

[April McDaniel]

Like, and she always was with the shit. I'm like, do you wanna go to Paris? Oh, yeah, girl. Let's go to Paris. Do you wanna go to Milan? Yeah, come on, let's go. I was like, oh, my gosh.

[Angie Martinez]

She'd do anything.

[April McDaniel]

Like, we could go anywhere. Yeah. So it was like limitless. I think that that's when I started to realize that, like, all a lot was more possible than I really believe. So I think it was consistently over time. And then, like, two years ago, I've always felt like she knew me. But two years ago, I went through a breakup, and I was like, at my office, and I was sad, and she just Came to the office, and I was like, what are you. She never leaves her house. What are you doing here? And she's like, I came to give you a hug.

[Colin Coward]

Aw.

[Savannah James]

Oh, my God.

[April McDaniel]

And I just was sappy and crying and amazing, and it felt so good to just, like, not say what I needed, but someone just knowing. And I feel like I slowly had that over the 17 years we've been friends. And then in that moment, I was like, oh, she's just showing up because she knows that this is, like, hard. And she. And I was like, you just came here. She's like, yep, now I'm leaving.

[Angie Martinez]

I was like, well, were you worried about her?

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

It was a hard. It was a hard time.

[Angie Martinez]

Ugh. Breakups suck.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, that took me to my knees.

[Angie Martinez]

You said, I'm gonna get in the car. I'm gonna drive over there.

[Colin Coward]

Yep.

[Savannah James]

I brought her lunch, gave her hug,

[April McDaniel]

took our bike, went on my way.

[Angie Martinez]

What about the time she showed up for you? You got one of those?

[Savannah James]

Mm. It's been so many times I think she shows up for me. It's not necessarily crisis mode. It's just her, like, she has a way with words that is, like, did you, like, study? Like, how did you come. How did you put that together like that just in a way that anything is happening. And I feel like with any situation, I can go to her, and she's going to give me exactly what I need at that time, just talking to me.

[April McDaniel]

And she doesn't get fired up. I get fired up. I'm like, and you said, and you gonna say this and you gonna do that? She's like, yeah. Huh?

[Savannah James]

Wait a minute.

[April McDaniel]

Let me get my notebook.

[Savannah James]

I wish I could record that.

[April McDaniel]

Can I record and tell and say that and do that? Cause she's like, doesn't get upset.

[Savannah James]

There's so many instances, I think sometimes

[April McDaniel]

you meet people in life that are, like, soulmates, and I think people don't realize you can have soulmate friends. I have two, and they both have come later in life, which has been surprising. And I think soulmate is so attributed to a man a lot of times, and it's not attributed to friendships and, like, some, because I feel like people a lot of times don't value friendship. Like, they're like, oh, I could people be inclined to get rid of their man before or get rid of a friend and stay with somebody that they shouldn't be with? Like, and never work on the friendship. And friendships need work too. You know what I mean? So I think it Is like a soulmate connection. Like, people are like. You guys are so in sync. I don't think we realize, but we're in sync. But I think we don't work on that. I think that's just natural, and you can have that with people. If you allow yourself to be vulnerable.

[Angie Martinez]

Then how do you have time? Either one of you? How many kids you got? Two kids.

[April McDaniel]

Two kids. I make a lot of time.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

People make time for what they want to make time for. Like, some people are like, oh, I'm so busy. I'm like, what? No. You don't know. Busy.

[Angie Martinez]

We all do be busy, though.

[April McDaniel]

You be busy. But I think you see who you want to see when you want to see it.

[Angie Martinez]

That's true. I be doing the shit I want to do. I do. Because, by the way, I started golfing. I really wish you a bit.

[Savannah James]

Oh, my God.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you hate it because your husband golfs? Do you hate it because your husband golfs?

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

Have you tried it?

[April McDaniel]

I think it's boring.

[Angie Martinez]

Have you tried.

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

When I saw that he started golfing, I was like, I hope Savannah golfs too. You haven't even tried it.

[April McDaniel]

You have no interest.

[Savannah James]

What's crazy is I've. Okay, I've been a top golf. Not the same, but I could. I actually can hit the ball. Like, I feel like that's part of that.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, because you're athletic, right?

[Savannah James]

You can, you know, but no, golf is.

[Angie Martinez]

But you don't see. What do you mean?

[April McDaniel]

It's the greatest sport ever for six months.

[Angie Martinez]

No, I'm obsessed. No, I love it. I could go. It's so slow, people.

[April McDaniel]

Like, how do you find the time?

[Angie Martinez]

I was like, no, I fucking find the time, man.

[April McDaniel]

I don't have it.

[Colin Coward]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And that's a crazy time. That's a crazy amount of time to find.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay, what? I find it early.

[April McDaniel]

So that's what I mean.

[Angie Martinez]

I do it from 7 to 10 if I have to, or whatever. And I get it in when I. You know, not all the time, but

[Savannah James]

a couple times a week, I go, what?

[Angie Martinez]

No, I golf.

[April McDaniel]

That's crazy.

[Angie Martinez]

I know.

[April McDaniel]

Are you okay?

[Angie Martinez]

I'm crazy. I'm not okay.

[April McDaniel]

But I love it, though. Like, all my guy friends are now,

[Angie Martinez]

Savannah, please go try one time with your husband. And he loves it so much. Like, I.

[Savannah James]

So much. But he like to go to 7am t. Time. That's not my.

[Angie Martinez]

You're not gonna do it.

[April McDaniel]

She not doing those.

[Angie Martinez]

Because you don't. You're not even. It doesn't Even make you interested. Like, what is this new thing that he loves so much and you don't care? You're like, go ahead. No,

[Savannah James]

my dad played golf my whole life growing up. I never been with him. Oh, he's taking it up. My. My son's played like my daughter. Like, I just.

[Angie Martinez]

Your daughter's into it now, and still nothing.

[Savannah James]

They like, you can come drive the car. What fun is that for me?

[Angie Martinez]

That's not fun. No, that's not fun.

[Savannah James]

Like, I gotta be the DJ and drive the car the fuck. Maybe one day.

[Angie Martinez]

Come on, Savannah, give it a try. So what is your thing? Because the thing for golf for me was like, I don't know. It's like, I never really had a hobby. I worked so much all the time. And then I had, you know, then. Then I was a mom, and it was like, I didn't have a thing. That was just because I love to do it. Like, it's a real thing to add that to your life. I don't know. I just wonder if you guys have found anything that's that for you. Some people have worked out. Some people. What is your thing?

[April McDaniel]

I mean, I do a lot of, like, mental and body work. Like, I'm with all the.

[Angie Martinez]

All the shit. All the mental shits.

[April McDaniel]

All the shits. I'm the lady they're talking about that's doing a medicine journey. I'm going on. Going to Hoffman, doing all the, like, unconventional things. Retreats, a body retreat in Rome. Like, I'm just doing all the things like that. Like. Like out of the box. I don't watch tv, I don't watch movies. Like, I like a lot of quiet time with myself. So, I mean, I feel like just making sure my body feels good so that my mental remains strong is really important. And I do really enjoy being around friends. So I'm always curating something. A karaoke night, a night in studio, doing this, doing that. Like, I love a little something like that is out of the box. Going to the museum. Things that we don't traditionally do. I'm always curating something. I'm like, hey, let's go to the Cash Cobain show at Blue Note. Let's go here. Let's do that. Like, I'm always doing little things.

[Angie Martinez]

You're a planner.

[April McDaniel]

The arts is really important for me. Like, being in the art space, volunteering, supporting, like, giving back. Like, so that is important for me.

[Angie Martinez]

What you doing, Savannah? What you doing for fun?

[April McDaniel]

Fun, yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Filling your soul.

[Savannah James]

I like to go on walks

[Angie Martinez]

like a poet I like to go on long walk.

[Savannah James]

I like a long walk around la. I like to do Pilates.

[Angie Martinez]

Are you doing those, like, you know, those walks, those hikes? Those can run.

[Savannah James]

Hikes? No, just walks. Just regular. But I walk for, like four miles.

[Angie Martinez]

Four miles.

[Savannah James]

I like Pilates. I also enjoy body work. I like all things health and wellness. But I like pottery, too. If I had the space.

[Angie Martinez]

Pottery.

[Savannah James]

If I had the space, I would have a pottery studio.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, what. Like, what are you making, though?

[Savannah James]

Like, I want to make everything, so right now I know how to make a bowl and a mug, but I got. I could make you a bowl and a mug, but I could.

[Angie Martinez]

But are they nice or are they, like, weird? Big handle?

[April McDaniel]

No, nice.

[Angie Martinez]

Nice.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

I gotta see a picture.

[Savannah James]

I'll send it to you.

[Angie Martinez]

All right. A bowl and a mug. What do you. What is the dream? What is the.

[Savannah James]

I just want to make stuff first for. He was like, like myself.

[Angie Martinez]

And then. What is it? What is the thing? Why do you like it?

[Savannah James]

Like, it's relaxing. Oh, it's very relaxing. Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Kind of gotta lock in to do it.

[Angie Martinez]

It's probably a similar thing because I always say with golf, it's like, I'm not multi. It's the one thing. The only thing I do where I'm not multitasking. You can't be golfing and on the phone and. Or. Or on the. Whatever. It's like, this is. I'm trying to hit this ball. I don't want to hear nobody talking.

[April McDaniel]

But it's also quiet.

[Angie Martinez]

It's quiet. Your feet are in the grass. You're touching. You know what I'm saying?

[April McDaniel]

It's nice. It's grounded.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm, like, low key trying to recruit y', all, but you don't.

[Savannah James]

You don't seem to be.

[April McDaniel]

We'll come support you, though.

[Angie Martinez]

I've been trying to recruit people, and then I thought maybe because LeBron was golfing, he looks like he really loves it. Like, he got the bug bad, right?

[Savannah James]

He is in it.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, he in it.

[Colin Coward]

In it.

[Savannah James]

He just went. Came from Scotland.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Some crazy golf course in Scotland.

[Angie Martinez]

Is he getting better? Any better? Yeah, it looks a little better on the. The swing looks a little better. It's coming along.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, he has, like, the. Is crazy. He has, like, a golf, like, pt. Like, specific golf pt.

[Angie Martinez]

Shut the hell up. I need that. That's what I need.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

I need a golf pt. The fact that I know that his swing has gotten better.

[April McDaniel]

How would you know that?

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, because I golf so I Could

[April McDaniel]

tell there's a thing.

[Angie Martinez]

There's a. There's a.

[April McDaniel]

It's like, how good are you?

[Angie Martinez]

No, I'm not good at all. But I. I mean, I'm good for somebody who's only been golfing for a little less than four years.

[Savannah James]

Right.

[Angie Martinez]

And so people have been golfing their whole lives.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

So for somebody who's been golfing three or four years, I'm pretty good, but I'm not going pro ever in my life. So.

[April McDaniel]

Are people going pro?

[Angie Martinez]

No, I'm just saying you're never gonna be that good. You're always gonna be like, you know, it's very interesting.

[April McDaniel]

I'm not interested.

[Angie Martinez]

All right, fine. My recruiting has failed today. Me. What about motherhood? You have two.

[April McDaniel]

Two.

[Angie Martinez]

How old are they?

[April McDaniel]

Two boys, 23 and 16.

[Angie Martinez]

How old were. How old are you when you became one?

[April McDaniel]

So I was. My oldest is my stepson I adopted when he was 10. My youngest I had when I was 29.

[Savannah James]

But I.

[April McDaniel]

So you already grow grown. Yeah. And then.

[Angie Martinez]

But still changes everything.

[April McDaniel]

Changes everything.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And I just think you constantly evolve. Like, I think raising kids and giving them a life that you didn't have comes with pluses and minuses, you know? Like, I'm just. I think that has been the hardest thing for me at this age. Like, not spoilers, not trying to raise entitled kids, but in a lot of ways, they are entitled because of the life they live.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And struggling. Like, there's something about grit that made me like, who I am.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, for sure.

[April McDaniel]

And I think it's hard to give that to kids that are not. Not in a certain type of environment.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. I think that's for anybody who's like, you're raising, like, anybody who's raising children who didn't grow up. There's, like, no blueprint for you.

[April McDaniel]

No. Like, if I grew up.

[Angie Martinez]

If my kids grew up the same way I did, I would know how my mother did it.

[April McDaniel]

Exactly.

[Angie Martinez]

But I don't know how to do this.

[April McDaniel]

And it also makes you more.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. You want to give them more, but you want them to work and you want them to have accountability and you want them to care about things. Your kids, you can't even. There's no blueprint for you at all.

[Savannah James]

Zero.

[Angie Martinez]

Right through any of this. Like, so how do you navigate that?

[Savannah James]

Because you grew up how, like, middle class. I have siblings, but I'm the youngest by 11 years. So it's like yours, mine, ours type of situation.

[Angie Martinez]

Sharing.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, sharing. But definitely the baby treated as the baby.

[Angie Martinez]

All boys or girls?

[Savannah James]

Two boys, two girls, and then me. But, I mean, I guess for me, I had. Like I said before, I had my family as my foundation. So that helped a lot, being in Ohio and having them around to give me or just to help me with raising them. Yeah. I was also very young. I didn't know what the I was doing, like.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. So. But, you know, now, I mean, you've

[Savannah James]

done it for sure. For sure. And I do think there's a certain level of keeping things normal that worked for us.

[Angie Martinez]

How could you even possibly do that?

[Savannah James]

I think it's the way that LeBron and I show up in the house. Like, we did have safety precautions. Like, we had security and things like that, just because the world is how the world is. But other than that, we moved around, like, we would be outside. We're just normal. I don't really know how to explain.

[April McDaniel]

I think you do a good job with, like, even with Zori, like, every summer she goes back to Ohio by her grandparents, and, like, I feel like there is a grounding that innately they have that is a actual gift, you know, like, there is a sense of normalcy, and not everything is for show, and not everything is, like, these are all the things I got, and this is how it looks to the world. I think Savannah's been really good at, like, protecting that. And zori is now 11, and she has such an innocence that is so beautiful. Like, I think a lot of people sometimes being in the limelight, your kids can lose that. And she has that. Like, every time I be like, oh,

[Savannah James]

my gosh, she's so cute and little,

[April McDaniel]

like, still a little girl, like, not growing up before her time, not trying to do all the things. She has a role. We always argue, but. But no cell phones till 4.

[Savannah James]

13.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeesh.

[Savannah James]

Okay, I'm on the line right now. What do you mean teetering a little bit with giving it to her when she's 12? Cause she's a girl and she's the baby, so she could get it a year.

[Angie Martinez]

I'll be over here, boys with 13.

[Savannah James]

13 solid.

[Angie Martinez]

And what is the reasoning behind that? What is the thinking?

[Savannah James]

I just feel like they're a little bit more understanding of the responsibility of having a phone. I just think 13 is a good age. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Was that scary for you when you. When it happened?

[Savannah James]

No, because they were able to get phones at 13, but no social media. No anything like that until 15.

[Angie Martinez]

15. Yeah.

[Colin Coward]

Wow.

[Savannah James]

So when Bronnie first got his social, we sat there and watched the, like, following it was crazy. I'm like, see, this is why he was not ready for that two years ago.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

No, this is crazy.

[Angie Martinez]

How did he manage it at 15?

[Savannah James]

He was good. Yeah, he was good. And I don't. I don't. He's kind of like me in that way. Like, it's like, you can have it or not. Like, it's just, you know, one of those things. So I think, personality wise. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

How do. What about, like, the fame part of it? How do you navigate that? Like, especially with the kids, too, and keeping them normal. Because fame is a weird thing. I mean, you were young, coming in, and it's weird. Your experience of fame, I'd imagine is different than. It's like, you didn't choose that. It's not like you, like, I want to go be an actress or I want to like, you just living your. Your life and then fame is put on you. Put on you.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Was there ever any struggles with that or navigating that or

[Savannah James]

I. I guess navigating it just to figure out how I wanted to, like, what my version of fame is, was a process. I don't. I'm gonna be honest. I think us starting in Ohio was a blessing because it kept you normal. I really feel like that is what kept us super grounded in LA at 17 or 18. I don't even know. I don't even know. Even Miami. Miami was different. Like, that was the first time that either one of us had left home. That was an experience. I could imagine Miami.

[Angie Martinez]

I know the hell is going on here, but.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, but, you know, we just stay 10 toes.

[Angie Martinez]

Does that make you closer when you're, like.

[Savannah James]

For sure, like, being able to go to, I mean, the markets that we are in. Well, the market that we're in now and in the market that we were in, in Miami is like, if you don't have each other and standing, like, together through this, like, it's gonna go to shit. Like, this is not gonna be good.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

So we did come closer in that time just because we knew too much

[Angie Martinez]

attention or too much.

[Savannah James]

I think it was all the things. All the things. So much more access. I mean, we were in Cleveland, like, ain't much going on in Cleveland. I love. I love where I'm from. I'm from Akron, but, you know, it's slow and it's. It's, you know, manageable.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

It's not that Miami.

[Angie Martinez]

Not so much.

[Savannah James]

No. So everywhere. It's everywhere. Yeah. Every. Every corner you turn. So being able to be able to Grounded in our home and then in our relationship. Definitely helped.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

But I think for me, Miami is. There was a transition that happened to me in Miami, personally. So I appreciate Miami for what it had to offer for me during that time.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you mean, like, young when you say transition?

[Savannah James]

I mean, like, going from, I believe, like a young girl to, like, a young. Like a young woman to a woman in Miami.

[Angie Martinez]

Were you guys friends at that point?

[April McDaniel]

Yes. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. You were already there?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, that was.

[Savannah James]

I got married there.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Proposed to there in Miami. Well, I didn't get married in Miami, but, like, we were living in Miami when we got married.

[Angie Martinez]

Got it.

[Savannah James]

So I think those. Those transitions, like, help. So it's just always kind of a special place for me.

[Angie Martinez]

Can you tell me. Because Fat Joe told me this story on the radio. Can you tell me the Fat Joe story? Why was he involved or at your engagement? So was Fat Joe involved in your engagement?

[Savannah James]

He was not involved. I mean, by Joe always at the

[Angie Martinez]

place where the thing is happening. What's that?

[Savannah James]

Like, by happenstance, he was involved.

[Angie Martinez]

Tell me about this engagement and why Fat Joe was there.

[Savannah James]

So we were at a New Year's Eve party at the Shelbourne or the Shore Club, one of them hotels in Miami. And it was like this whole thing. I was getting dressed with Gabrielle that day, and I wanted to wear this black dress and this hot pink lipstick. And Gab is like, I don't think you should wear that lipstick. And I'm like, girl, I've been looking for this lipstick. I'm wearing this lipstick. So she's like, okay. Knowing what was.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes, she knew.

[Savannah James]

So we're at the party. Countdown happens.

[Angie Martinez]

She's such a girl's girl.

[Savannah James]

Ain't she Such a girl's girl. Come. The countdown happens. Happy New Year. We come back. I'm on my phone texting, like, all my people, Happy New year. Whatever. And LeBron is behind me, tapping me on my shoulder, like, just tapping. I'm like, hold up.

[April McDaniel]

Like, hold up.

[Savannah James]

So somebody on this side of me. Because, like, now it's like a. Like a crowd. So somebody says, savannah, turn around. And I turn around, and he was on his knee.

[Angie Martinez]

Aw. Oh, my God.

[Savannah James]

Mind you, Miami was. It was. It was a time. So in that instance, I was like, oh, my God. So I just busted out crying. And he did his speech and put the ring on. And I said yes. And he like, okay, go get yourself together. Cause you looking crazy. I was bawling, crying.

[Angie Martinez]

The lipstick, the pink lipstick.

[Savannah James]

Oh, it was it was awful. I wish I never would have wore that lipstick. I should have listened to Gap. But I go in the bathroom, and the doors are closed, like, locked. So I'm like. They're like, knocking, like, can we please get in here? Please get in here. And Joe opened up the door, like, oh, oh, oh. Cause I'm bawling like. He don't know what to say. So they're like, oh, she just got proposed to. So he like, oh, okay, you can come in. Sorry. Congratulations.

[Angie Martinez]

Does he know who you are or he doesn't. Maybe.

[Savannah James]

I don't know. But he was just like. Because I'm like, I. I look like something had happened. Something.

[Angie Martinez]

So, wait, is this, like a public party? Like, yeah. In a club. Like, like, mad people.

[Savannah James]

This. It was a curated party.

[April McDaniel]

But public.

[Angie Martinez]

But public. He thought this was a good. This was a good time. He thought, at this public function.

[Savannah James]

This is where I'm gonna do it.

[Angie Martinez]

This is where all these years. Because you had been together years at that point. Right?

[Savannah James]

Right. 10 years.

[Angie Martinez]

10 years. 10 years already. And he thought, right now, this club, New Year's Eve in Miami with this pink lipstick on. I'm going get on his knee.

[Savannah James]

My God.

[Angie Martinez]

So you had no idea?

[Savannah James]

Zero. No idea.

[April McDaniel]

Wow.

[Angie Martinez]

But you know what was going to happen? Usually when you get engaged, you kind of know it. You didn't know?

[Savannah James]

I didn't know. I had no idea.

[Angie Martinez]

Really? Yeah.

[Savannah James]

He got me.

[Angie Martinez]

And then there was Fat Joe in

[Savannah James]

the bathroom, and you were crying, bawling. He looked at me, he. Like the hell. Like, what the. What is going on here? And they're like, she just got engaged.

[April McDaniel]

She's like, oh, oh, oh.

[Savannah James]

Congratulations.

[Angie Martinez]

And you had already had two of them already. You already had two kids?

[Savannah James]

Yep.

[Angie Martinez]

So what did that. What does that transition feel like at that moment? Like, does marriage change anything or.

[Savannah James]

I don't think so.

[Angie Martinez]

Really?

[Savannah James]

No, I don't think so.

[Angie Martinez]

You were already committed in, like, a family unit.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. The only thing that happened is I said I wasn't having no more kids until we got married. That was it.

[Angie Martinez]

You put that little down.

[Savannah James]

That was it.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

I bought the milk. You bought the milk already? I'm not doing it again.

[Angie Martinez]

No more milk for you.

[Savannah James]

No more milk for you. But that was it.

[Angie Martinez]

That's amazing. Shout out to Joe.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, my God.

[Angie Martinez]

I know he wishes he had that picture.

[Savannah James]

I'm glad he does not have that picture. That was crazy.

[Angie Martinez]

How did Gab know in advance?

[Savannah James]

It was a whole plan.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, they know.

[Savannah James]

All LeBron has spoken to Dee Dee told Gab. Gab was like my liaison for the day. So I kind of hung with her all day. The guys had some kind of meeting or something, practice or something. So I was basically with her shopping and doing all the things and got to the hotel to get dressed.

[Angie Martinez]

How was the time?

[Savannah James]

It was so fun. Miami was fun.

[Angie Martinez]

It seems like from the outside, you guys had like a. I don't know. It was Gab and.

[Savannah James]

And Adrian.

[Angie Martinez]

Adrian and. I don't know. It feels like a good wife crew.

[Savannah James]

It was a good wife crew. Very different from my experience that I had had before that. Very different.

[Angie Martinez]

And I'm sure there's a unique way in that you guys have to show up for each other for sure. That only you guys understand.

[Savannah James]

For sure.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Those girls are great. That was. That was a part of that transition as well.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Do you keep those friendships? The friendships like that.

[Savannah James]

Not as close knit just because. I mean, we didn't have a choice then, but we still definitely chat.

[Angie Martinez]

But life catch ups.

[Savannah James]

Yep. And everybody's in different places now too.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. But I'm sure those bonds are forever. Yeah, Forever. What a time. What a time. All right, we have a couple segments we gotta do. We're gonna do our little sections of Voice note and then, like, the bowl. And so when you guys do your podcast, do you do, like, a whole bunch of, like, prep, or do you guys just get in the chair?

[April McDaniel]

So we're evolving.

[Angie Martinez]

No prep.

[Colin Coward]

We're evolving.

[Angie Martinez]

There's no prep. You don't have cards when you do your pod?

[Savannah James]

No, no. We had tried cards.

[April McDaniel]

One time we tried cards on the boyfriend episode and it didn't work. Savannah was like, you did not read your cards. I was like, I was just winging it. I was nervous. No, we're prepping now because you had.

[Angie Martinez]

What was the boyfriend episode?

[April McDaniel]

We did Phantom, Kai, Sonette, LeBron and Taako. It was so great. I think again, another. We're gonna do another one. But I think just being able to hear from guys and their perspective around, like, dating and, like, how people see things, it's so wild. Like, when you really sit down and talk about it, it's just so many different perspectives. And we wanted guys from different age groups. So, like, Kai was on the younger side. Phantom, younger side. Taco is in his 30s, LeBron obviously 40. Like, so it was a lot of different perspectives. Like, the younger guys talked more about dating, but also being in relationships, what you expect in partnership, how people view partnership. Like, also wild.

[Angie Martinez]

Interesting.

[April McDaniel]

The evolution of partnership.

[Angie Martinez]

Sometimes pods, though, too. They challenge you to talk about things that you wouldn't normally talk about, even with, like, your friends. Sometimes my mother will watch something and she'll be like, I. I didn't know. Like, she'll watch my part and she'll hear me talk about something and be like, yes, I didn't know that happened. I'm like, yeah, yeah.

[April McDaniel]

What do you mean? Personal stories?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. I wonder, like, if you're interviewing your husband, does he say something that you, like, absolutely.

[Savannah James]

Like, go running back. Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I was like, what did he say?

[Angie Martinez]

What did he say on the pod that surprised you?

[Savannah James]

What's the feel? I mean, it's a clip now that's going viral about him saying where he is now. At 40, he couldn't have a significant other. That when he came home, was on the couch. And I'm like,

[April McDaniel]

yeah, I think that that was also news to me.

[Savannah James]

News to me.

[Colin Coward]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

But also on the couch is not. They clipped it up. That's the thing about, like, they clipped it up.

[Savannah James]

That's the thing about clips.

[April McDaniel]

He was talking about evolving and where you are in life. But, like, what does that even mean? If someone's a mom, no one is sitting on the couch. But also, then that's the thing with.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, that's how they took it.

[April McDaniel]

Like, not working, not working, not doing anything. But the Internet is so crazy. Like, the opinions. And I'm, again, don't pay a lot of things any mind. So she was like, did you see the clip? And I looked at it. I was like. And then the comments are crazy. And it's so interesting. Like, we just sitting around, ain't doing shit. Like, are you out of your fucking mind? Like, that's the thing. Like, because somebody may be more reserved, is perceived as. You're not doing anything. Which is crazy to me, because the people that are showing everything, a lot of times we're not doing anything.

[Angie Martinez]

What did he mean? Cause I didn't see the whole clip. Did he mean, like, lazy? Somebody was lazy or somebody.

[April McDaniel]

Basically. I mean, he's up super early. Like, he.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, his work ethic is next level. I can't even imagine.

[April McDaniel]

Unmatched.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, Sorry.

[April McDaniel]

But again, it's.

[Angie Martinez]

It has to be inspiring to watch, right? Even somebody work with him or even as his wife, like, watching somebody's work ethic.

[Savannah James]

Very much so. But never getting up before the sun comes up.

[Angie Martinez]

You're not doing that. You're not that inspired.

[Savannah James]

No.

[April McDaniel]

Me, I'm up at the crack of

[Savannah James]

dawn, like the morning.

[April McDaniel]

My ministry, I Love the morning. Love, love.

[Savannah James]

I admire it. I think it's amazing. You get a lot done. You use all of your hours. I think it's great.

[April McDaniel]

She's like, don't call me.

[Angie Martinez]

I'll be right here.

[April McDaniel]

Yes, right here. Don't call me. But also doesn't feel bad about that. Like, she lives in her truth and you can live in your truth. You know what I mean? But I think with this, social media makes it everything perceived in a certain

[Savannah James]

type of way and allows you to perceive it how you want to, but you be able to make your own notion about it.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And I think it's a lot of misconceptions about stay at home moms.

[Savannah James]

Hey, guys.

[Angie Martinez]

You ever signed up for a phone plan thinking, wow, what a great price. And then a few months later, it's like, surprise, your bill is higher. We hate that. With Boost mobile, you pay $25 a month. Forever. That's unlimited talk, text and data starting at just $25 a month. There's no price hikes. There's no contract, and this is forever. Plus, Boost Mobile is now a legit nationwide 5G network. They invested billions building 5G towers across the country. So what you need to do is visit boostmobile.com or head to your local booth store today and get unlimited to talk, text and data for 25amonth. Forever. 5G speeds not available in all areas. After 30 gigabytes, customers may experience slower speeds. Customers will pay 25amonth as long as they remain active on the Boost Unlimited plan. All right, are we ready for a voice note? This is our voice note section. Somebody sent a question. I don't know if it's for one of you or both of you, or it's presented by Boost Mobile. And let's have it.

[April McDaniel]

Hi, Savannah and April. My question for y' all is, when do you tell your homegirl that you saw her man without her outside? She's been dating this guy for like over a year. And I went to dinner and I saw him on what could have been a double date. It was him, another guy, and two women. I. I literally was walking by and saw them. Now, I don't like to get myself in mess. So do you think I should tell her or just kind of let the universe figure it out?

[Angie Martinez]

I have this. I have an answer to this question also, but I'm curious to what you guys think. What? I know I have this conversation with friends.

[Savannah James]

We've.

[Angie Martinez]

This is a debate, actually.

[April McDaniel]

If you're getting a video a snap before I leave the Fucking restaurant. And I'm liable to walk to the table.

[Savannah James]

Yeah. I was gonna say.

[April McDaniel]

I'd be like, excuse me, sir, are you okay?

[Savannah James]

I'm not going to address it because, you know I'm gonna tell my friend. You know I'm gonna tell my friend, but I'm gonna roll up on you

[April McDaniel]

like, hey, how you doing?

[Savannah James]

Hey, guys.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

How y'? All? Okay. Good to see you.

[Angie Martinez]

Very nice and pleasant.

[Savannah James]

The smile, the savannah smile is giving

[April McDaniel]

a little bit more annoyed.

[Angie Martinez]

But you're confronting the sweating.

[April McDaniel]

And maybe like, are you serious?

[Angie Martinez]

What's happening? Are you okay?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah. Are you? See, that's the difference between having no associates. I got all the same level friends we riding. What is you doing, sir? This is messy. What's happening?

[Savannah James]

No, she gonna.

[April McDaniel]

You're gonna cut with these raggedy hoes. That's what I would be like. And the nerd gonna double date.

[Angie Martinez]

This is interesting. Cause I've had this conversation with my little crew of girls, and most of us feel the same way. There's two or three, then there's one of us. And it drives me nuts. Cause we get into this debate and argument. But she's like. Her experience is that nine times out

[Savannah James]

of ten, they're gonna stay.

[Angie Martinez]

They're gonna stay. And now you're the friend who done inserted yourself into a problem in your friend's situation. Or the other part of it is that sometimes the friend knows what who she's with. And so as a friend, why you go. You know what I'm saying? So she feels like that. So she minds her business. She doesn't say anything.

[April McDaniel]

She couldn't be my friend.

[Angie Martinez]

She couldn't be your friend.

[Savannah James]

Dumb.

[April McDaniel]

She's cooked.

[Angie Martinez]

You say that she cut her off.

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

She's really good, though. In many other ways.

[Savannah James]

It's very nice.

[April McDaniel]

It's good for you. I'm very happy for you. I'm good.

[Angie Martinez]

No. You want me to cut off my friend?

[April McDaniel]

No, I'm not saying you got to cut her off. It's good for you. It does not work for me. You see some stuff that is not kosher and you don't feel to say something. And that is where her feeling comes from. Her feeling like she's going to be excluded if she gives her honest opinion. Y' all not friends. That's how I feel. Like what? I saw your man out.

[Savannah James]

Like.

[April McDaniel]

No, I'm sorry. I just. I feel convicted by it. Cause I think that's crazy that, you know. And what if one day we're out?

[Angie Martinez]

Are you calling from the restaurant.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, no. I'm texting like the fuck. And then I'm saying something. Then I'm walking out the restaurant like, bitch, I went up to the table. I told that nigga. Like, I'm running it down.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I'm the last person you want to see.

[Angie Martinez]

So you are not confrontational, though.

[Savannah James]

No, I'm not gonna roll up and make a scene. She gonna be sweating by the time you lick.

[April McDaniel]

He's calling you and see, she's quiet.

[Angie Martinez]

Calling the friend from the restaurant immediately. Yeah, absolutely.

[Savannah James]

Text, call, whatever it is.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, she going out.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, we're gonna.

[Colin Coward]

We.

[April McDaniel]

We about that life.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. I love that for you.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah. I just feel like that is the right way to be with friends. Like, why not disclose?

[Savannah James]

I agree.

[April McDaniel]

Well. And it's okay if you stay.

[Angie Martinez]

No, no, I agree. But I do think I'm a little different, that I do think there are levels of friends because I have a lot of people that I know.

[Colin Coward]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I'm saying? I know y', all, but we not.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, no, I don't have any of those.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't have none of those. You have. We're either all the way friends or we're nothing.

[April McDaniel]

You know everything about me or you'll know nothing.

[Angie Martinez]

Got it.

[April McDaniel]

Like, I'm good.

[Angie Martinez]

There's no image that's so interesting.

[April McDaniel]

No. How can you show up half yourself?

[Angie Martinez]

It's like that you just meet people along the way and you really like them. And you. You. You have a rapport and you see them and it's cool. And you've hung out a few times. And I'm not telling that person about her business or her man or nothing.

[April McDaniel]

I'm not getting out of her. Not hanging out a few times with nobody. I don't really kind of know.

[Angie Martinez]

You're not hanging out a few times?

[April McDaniel]

No. I'd be like, what's happening over there? Oh, I'm not coming. Nope. Don't want to be there. Like, I'm just not. I keep doing it. It's no in between for me.

[Angie Martinez]

I don't believe you. There's no way.

[April McDaniel]

Ask her.

[Savannah James]

Believe. Please believe. Please. Really, please believe it.

[Angie Martinez]

No middle, no acquaintances, no people.

[April McDaniel]

We just meet. Because it's just also like, I'm not for everybody. Just like you're not supposed to be for everybody. Everybody's not for everybody. Everybody doesn't have to like you. So, like, I'm not gonna censor myself in a situation where. And I see a lot. I'm around a lot. I'm privy to a lot. I'm a volt, so I need to be in a place where I feel like I can actually have real conversation. That feeds me, and I feed you, and I can be my real self. I don't want to be somewhere guessing if I could say this. And now you talk about you done texted your friend, your friend coming back, girl, goodbye. I ain't got no time for it. I'm too busy. So, like, censoring myself in certain rooms, if I'm not talking, that means I don't know nobody there, and I'm good.

[Savannah James]

I'm not the same. I'm not that harsh. I. I allow, like, if a connection is meant to happen, I allow it to happen. I've recently made really great friends just because I was a little more open.

[Angie Martinez]

Open.

[April McDaniel]

She's jolly.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, she also was so guarded for so long.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

So now you probably trust yourself a little bit more, right?

[Savannah James]

A lot more.

[Angie Martinez]

So there's flag of people who we need to not let in the circle because we talk about red flags with dating or relationships. Yes, but what about friend red flags? Are there friendship red flags?

[April McDaniel]

I think you can engage with people that are like, fans. Ooh, I can't stand it. Oh, my God, you're so. I'm like, no. Oh, my God, no. Oh, I can't even.

[Angie Martinez]

So another red flag for you would be like, if they feel like they wouldn't tell you if they saw your man, that would be a flag for you, right?

[Colin Coward]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

Yes.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, That's a character flag to me.

[Angie Martinez]

Interesting.

[April McDaniel]

That's like going back to transparency, radical honesty. Are you radically honest, or do you want to hold some of the information?

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

The most eloquent way of lying is not saying anything. When people be like, oh, I ain't say nothing.

[Angie Martinez]

Okay.

[April McDaniel]

But we're sitting there the whole time at the dinner table knowing this man's in a relationship. Like, I just think that that is a form of living.

[Angie Martinez]

So interesting. You made me think about myself now because I've been minding my business.

[April McDaniel]

Sometimes I mind my business too, but don't let me hear you even with my friends.

[Angie Martinez]

I mind my business because I'm gonna see you through this, and I'll wait till you get to the other side. But it's like a level of how much I want to interject with what I think I saw, what I saw, what I feel about what I saw. When you know all that already, I

[April McDaniel]

feel like it just is.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I don't think it's inserting yourself. You could still support your friend and be like, listen, I don't like how this made you feel, but I'm gonna support you. I feel like I can talk like that. I'm not, like, judgy on it, but when it starts going over the line. We were talking about this yesterday. I was like, if you were walking down the street in the car last night at 11 o'. Clock. That's what I asked.

[Savannah James]

Morality quiz?

[Colin Coward]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

She gave you a quiz at night?

[Savannah James]

Testing my morals.

[April McDaniel]

I said, I'm sleepy, listen. And we were driving down the street and we saw a lady getting beat up. What would you do? Right? And so she was like, what? I was like, if we saw somebody beating up, what would you do? She was like, well, I would be like.

[Savannah James]

Like trying to get people to bring it down.

[April McDaniel]

Because what if he was really beating her? She like, I'm gonna call the cops. I'm like, I don't know. I think I may have to jump in. Like, you know, like, you can't beat me.

[Savannah James]

And Savannah would be beating both our ass.

[Angie Martinez]

Like, then I can't help you.

[April McDaniel]

But then she gave her her video. I was like, all right, all right, I'm gonn. I'm gonna call the cops. I'm gonna stay there. I ain't gonna leave her. Cause she's getting beaten up. Like. But to me, I think it is a morality. Cause, like, it's the this or that on how you view things. And it can be multiple opinions on how people decide to show up. It doesn't make them a bad person, though.

[Angie Martinez]

Just different.

[April McDaniel]

Just different. Yeah, but I know what kind of friend I want.

[Angie Martinez]

So what were you gonna do? You were gonna stay and fight?

[April McDaniel]

So at first I was gonna fight.

[Savannah James]

She was gonna fight. She was gonna fight. There was no question about both down

[Angie Martinez]

and nobody there to help either one of y'.

[Colin Coward]

All.

[Angie Martinez]

There was no question. That's why everybody need a friend like you.

[April McDaniel]

I was so mad. I was like, I was gonna kill his fanny. Like, well, you. We were gonna die. Like, Like. So we were like.

[Angie Martinez]

And this is somebody that you don't even know, right?

[Savannah James]

It was just a what if? Yeah, what if?

[Angie Martinez]

No, I'm just saying in your mind, like, this is a straight.

[April McDaniel]

So she like, we don't even know her. I was like, I know, but it's just wrong.

[Savannah James]

Like, and that man gonna be beating both of us.

[April McDaniel]

So you call the guy.

[Savannah James]

Because now this is where it goes. Because now if she jump in, now

[April McDaniel]

I gotta jump in. So now this just don't jump in. Call leave.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm glad that you guys have a plan in the event that this does happen. Now you have a full plan. Don't jump in because she gonna have to jump in, but you're gonna call the cops.

[April McDaniel]

Cops. We ready? We ready. I'mma make the driver get out.

[Angie Martinez]

What would I do? I think I would call the cops and I would try to create some type of diversion.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Savannah James]

Like.

[Angie Martinez]

Like get his attention off her.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Like maybe I would throw something at him.

[Savannah James]

What? I say I would throw something. Literally said I would throw something.

[April McDaniel]

But I think it's like a morality thing. It doesn't. You know, how you. How would you deal with certain things?

[Angie Martinez]

That's a good one.

[Savannah James]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

What else you.

[Savannah James]

I'm sleepy.

[Angie Martinez]

These are good.

[Savannah James]

I was like, girl, What?

[April McDaniel]

She was like, what y' all be

[Angie Martinez]

sitting around the house talking about?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, we were in the car, but

[Angie Martinez]

I saw somebody walk.

[April McDaniel]

I was like, what if she's the

[Angie Martinez]

one that made you do this other quiz, too, that you did at the house, right? Yes.

[April McDaniel]

Yes. Yeah, Because I want to know. I'm curious. Hey, guys.

[Angie Martinez]

Support for this podcast is brought to you by Walden University. Have you ever thought to yourself, what if I could go after what I actually want and I could really make a difference?

[Savannah James]

Difference?

[Angie Martinez]

Well, you are not alone. And this is exactly why I want to tell you about Walden University. For over 50 years, Walden has helped working adults like you get the w with the knowledge, the skills, and everything you need to build the future that you want. And you can make a difference where it matters most. If you've been waiting for the right moment, this is it. Head to Waldenu. Edu and take that first step. Walden University set a course. Force for change. Certified to operate by Shiv. All right, this is our bowl of IRL questions presented by Walden University. Pick a bowl. Pick a question. Each one of you.

[Savannah James]

The best kind of friend is someone who is patient with you.

[Angie Martinez]

Is this bowl for them specifically?

[Savannah James]

Oh, can I do another one?

[Angie Martinez]

Yes.

[Savannah James]

All right. Oh, yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

No, no, she didn't like that. I feel like we. I feel like we talked about that a lot anyway.

[April McDaniel]

Lately, I've been reminding myself that

[Savannah James]

it's

[April McDaniel]

okay to be big.

[Angie Martinez]

Did you not feel like that? I feel like your personality lends to that.

[Savannah James]

Answered that.

[Angie Martinez]

You started. You did the whole podcast here?

[April McDaniel]

No, I think I came up in it. I came up in an industry where being behind the scenes was rewarded, especially as a female. And just, like, making it all happen was how I was celebrated. And I think being in front of the camera and thinking about all the things that we're building. And, like, owning that has been a real pivot for me personally. And I think even though going back to what people see and what they believe, I am very confident in who I am. Like, innately. I've always been like that since I was small. But I think being big has another type of responsibility that I've kind of, like, up until this point, we were saying the pod was like, a hobby. Like, it's a hobby.

[Angie Martinez]

You didn't want to claim it like, a thing.

[April McDaniel]

No, because I think when you work hard and you've been raised to work hard, I think more responsibility feels like. Like. Like it doesn't have to feel like that if you have the right team around you and the right people around you. And I think we're finally at a point where we feel like we're supported in that way.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm sure you feel like that, too. You've. That's probably why you guys connect so much in business, aside from friendship. Like, you both kind of, like, blossoming into this elevated version of yourself.

[April McDaniel]

I feel like we're growing into something that we have not. Not yet imagined.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, I feel like that, too. I don't think that. I don't know. I feel like at every stage or every age, like, always trying to push ourselves to. Yeah, there's always another level.

[Savannah James]

Right?

[Angie Martinez]

There's always a level that.

[April McDaniel]

But I think as a young girl, you think you get married, you have a family, you pick a career, and it's like, whoa, I made it. And then you're like, hold on a second. This shit's about to change again and again and again. And I think that that is something young women should know. Like, if you learn how to pivot early, it won't feel so debilitating. Like, if you could pivot quicker and not be so stuck on, like, I'm gonna have this career. I'm gonna marry this man. I'm gonna be married by this time. I'm gonna have a baby here. Like, it doesn't work like that, But I think when we were coming up, it was like, that was what you did. And now young women are doing things differently and really embracing that, and it doesn't have to look how you imagine.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you still have those thoughts? So you're like, I don't want to get too much in your business. Are you single or you're not married?

[April McDaniel]

I am single.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, single. Are you in the. Are you out here?

[Savannah James]

No.

[Angie Martinez]

Looking around? No Looking around?

[Savannah James]

No.

[April McDaniel]

I Would like to. I'm trying.

[Angie Martinez]

She don't try to be a matchmaker over here. You probably got no LeBron, don't got no friends.

[April McDaniel]

That would be a good. No, no, no, no, no. I think we all run in a very small circle. Like, it's, like, pretty intimate. Yeah. Like, and have been. I think. Yeah. I don't know. I'm open to it, but I think it is a level of, like, you know, that protection factor that I operate in.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

And trying to be open in one area, but also being mindful of. Of letting people in and the right people. Are we supposed to pick another one?

[Angie Martinez]

No.

[April McDaniel]

Did you pick one?

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, she wanted to. She picked it.

[Savannah James]

You picked one, did you? I did, but I put it.

[Angie Martinez]

She didn't like it.

[April McDaniel]

Why?

[Savannah James]

You picked one. Why?

[Angie Martinez]

You didn't like it.

[April McDaniel]

You didn't like it.

[Angie Martinez]

All right, go to another one. Find one.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, we both answering this.

[Angie Martinez]

All right. I love that.

[April McDaniel]

Don't be scared. Trust me.

[Savannah James]

Okay. All right. Me first.

[April McDaniel]

One value you think we're losing as a society.

[Savannah James]

What you have to say. Yeah, Say it. What do I say?

[Angie Martinez]

You don't.

[Savannah James]

I feel like I do. I don't know.

[April McDaniel]

Honesty. I really think we are missing honesty. Like, I think a lot of times people are fearful of being honest about what they're fearful of. And I just think people are shy away a lot of times from honesty of, like, hurting people's feelings or being true to themselves or doing what the world wants them to do and not being their real self. And, like, just do you and just be honest. And I wish people would get it together. And Instagram's not real. People be swearing. I'm like, are you people okay? This is like a sham.

[Angie Martinez]

It's one piece of. It's like one sliver of a narrative,

[April McDaniel]

and it's the most inflated narrative. Like, you know what I mean? And then when you show your real self, the world wants to judge, but, like, if people would just

[Savannah James]

back to

[April McDaniel]

themselves instead of worrying about somebody crying on the Internet or whatever and focus on yourself.

[Savannah James]

What's your one word?

[April McDaniel]

Come on.

[Savannah James]

Mine was going to be authenticity. Like, even as a business owner now and understanding the importance of, like, doing what is authentically, like, solid to you, I don't. I think a lot of people do things that they feel like they have to, and I think that goes right back to honesty. But I think authenticity is a value that's like, be you.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what? I'm curious. This is one of my IRL questions in here. I like this for you, because, you know, we always ask, like, what are you most proud of, like, in your career or as a mom? What are you most proud of about yourself and what you've been able to

[Savannah James]

do on your side? Honestly, the biggest compliment that I get is when people come to me and tell me how great my kids are. Like, I'm so proud of the people that they are and who they've become and the way that they've been able to handle everything. Like, we've been through some things and I just think that they have. I mean, they've done an amazing job with all of it, given the circumstance. So I'm most proud of who I've been able to support in their growth and just becoming who they are as young men and now a little lady. So you're very, very proud of that.

[Angie Martinez]

You're a good mom.

[Savannah James]

Great. Killing it.

[April McDaniel]

The best.

[Angie Martinez]

Killing it.

[April McDaniel]

The best mom.

[Angie Martinez]

Really, the best. What about as a wife? Especially such a high profile wife? Like, what are you most proud of in that space?

[Savannah James]

Just being able to. And I know this might sound crazy, but being able to understand the situation for what it is as far as how I showed up, being a support system to him. Like, I was totally okay with the way that things have panned out up until this point. Being supportive to him, being able to be there for him, being able to pick him up when he's not feeling good. Like, I was okay with being in the background and doing those things so that he was able to do exactly what he wanted to do in that space. So there. I'm most proud of that. As far as being.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, a wife and his wife and support system. What about this pod and what you're creating? What are you guys most proud of about this business and this.

[April McDaniel]

Ooh. I feel like I'm most proud of us stepping into what we have been shying away from, you know, and really owning it. And I think also being authentically ourselves. Like, I think there is a lot of misconceptions about being an entrepreneur, building something, being in friendship with each other. So I think I'm most proud of just being able to own it for once and also proud to put a team around us that is helping us to do it, which allows us to be more visionary in building it, which is exciting. And also commit to the POD and commit to using our voices and commit to being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

[Angie Martinez]

I just wanna go to my last cards and then we're done. Maybe I'm gonna ask you my one favorite question in the Bowl. Okay. You probably have. Probably know that one. Okay. We've been talking a lot about the, like, the inner workings of your friendship and this, like, space that you created. But you also both live in a very big space.

[April McDaniel]

Yes. Very big.

[Angie Martinez]

You didn't. You do. You did Drake's 30th birthday party. You planned that for him. Yes. That's a big. That's a big high profile. Lots of. A lot of moments.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

How does that even happen? Or did you work for Drake or you.

[April McDaniel]

No, I don't work for Drake. I never worked for Drake.

[Angie Martinez]

You never worked for Drake and you threw his 30th?

[April McDaniel]

Well, he had my agency.

[Angie Martinez]

Got it.

[April McDaniel]

So I think, how does that go?

[Angie Martinez]

Does he call? No, he doesn't call.

[April McDaniel]

Future calls.

[Angie Martinez]

Future calls.

[April McDaniel]

Future calls. Future is the best.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Future manager.

[April McDaniel]

And I've been doing a couple of things with them. A lot of people don't know context, but I own a creative agency. It does experiential and creative campaigns for brands. So it started because we did. It was called Two Kings. It was Drake and LeBron at Allstar in Toronto. And we did something called the House of Tings with beats.

[Angie Martinez]

It was good.

[Savannah James]

It was so good.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, my God. And we transformed all of these rooms into, like, little immersive rooms. So we had trap karaoke. We had a room with an owl that opened up like a live owl. We had David Blaine in the room. We had.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, my God. David Blaine is enough of a movie.

[April McDaniel]

Yes. It was like all these little rooms and you went into this, like, House of Tings. And it was crazy. It was freezing cold in Toronto. So it started there. And then over time, I just built a relationship with Future and team. And they're amazing. They were amazing. And I just did his 30th. They called and was like, can you do it? It's going to be in la. And I was like, I got it. And I mean, it feels like years ago.

[Angie Martinez]

I know because I mean, it strike

[April McDaniel]

down like 39, maybe something like that. 38 maybe. But it was awesome.

[Angie Martinez]

What about your big wow moments? First of all, the Met Gala is a wow moment for you, huh? What is that? What is that experience? Like, stressful.

[Colin Coward]

Why?

[Savannah James]

It was so much prep and just like, it was my first time, so making sure I got it right. Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Was it pressure?

[Savannah James]

A little bit. That's a big carpet.

[Angie Martinez]

It's a big carpet.

[April McDaniel]

A big carpet.

[Angie Martinez]

What is the prep? What is the. What is. What goes into this?

[Savannah James]

Just. Just a look. The look is the most like. Yeah. The look, it came together.

[Angie Martinez]

Your body a look, though. You have a couple of, like, iconic look moments. We should flash those as we're mentioning them right now, just let the people know.

[Savannah James]

But yeah, it was great. The theme with being. I can't tailor. I can't think of the thing, but it was.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, the. The theme.

[Savannah James]

Yeah, it was like, dandy is dandy as. And then it was tailored to perfection or something like that. So the process of trying to find a designer for that was kind of like, like, what do I do? And then I wanted to make sure I had a black designer. So I'm like, well, what if. I wonder if Hanifa would do it? And she did it. She killed it. We had a great time. It was so much fun working with her and her team.

[Angie Martinez]

Are events like that fun, though? You always think, like, is it really fun when you get there?

[Savannah James]

So I was actually. So I was okay. I was there because I was supposed to be there, but I was a plus one because LeBron was a chair. He was a co chair for that particular met and he couldn't make it because they were in the post season. So I still went in support to be there for him.

[Angie Martinez]

But also. Cause you were supposed to.

[Savannah James]

But also cause I was supposed to be there, but it is a room. And like I said, I don't typically, like, deal in like, I guess rooms like that. Like, that's just not my comfort zone.

[Angie Martinez]

And if you do, you're usually with your husband.

[Savannah James]

With my husband, or with a friend, or just somebody as an ally. You know, they don't play that like it's.

[Angie Martinez]

There's no point.

[Savannah James]

You're not taking nobody, you taking yourself. So it was just interesting. I actually sat with Debbie Allen and I had met her in la. My daughter went to her dance academy. So I just found an ally in her and her husband. And I sat there and talked to them. So it was great. And Tyler Perry was my seatmate. That's so fun.

[Colin Coward]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

And chatted with him. That was cool. Told him how much I love all of his movies. And it was a great experience. My dress was so heavy, though. My hips were so sore afterwards because I don't know if people know, but when you walk the carpet, it's long and there's stairs on the carpet, so you gotta get up those stairs. But once you get in the museum, there's like four more flights of stairs and a country mile to get to where the actual event is.

[Angie Martinez]

Country, model country.

[Savannah James]

And this dress is like £40. I was. I Was done, but you did it. I was good, but I did it.

[Angie Martinez]

And you look gorgeous.

[Savannah James]

Thank you so much.

[Angie Martinez]

Those moments must feel like because you don't do that a lot. Right. You don't do the stuff like that. What does that feel like for you? Because I don't know, it almost feels like from the outside looking it, like, watching you, it's like, look at Savannah in her own light.

[Colin Coward]

Yes.

[Savannah James]

You don't know.

[Angie Martinez]

Really? Like, in your own light, in your own moment.

[Savannah James]

I. I was. I. I was excited to be there, but just, like, kind of a little bit in shock to, like, damn. I'm actually on the met carpet and by myself. Yeah. This is crazy. This is actually crazy. I was shocked, like, yeah, this is crazy. The whole time I was there, I'm like, what?

[Angie Martinez]

I know.

[Savannah James]

Looking back at me sitting at Anna Wintour's table, like, what?

[Angie Martinez]

You were at Anna's table?

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

Did you talk to her? Yeah. Did she comment? Did she compliment your dress?

[April McDaniel]

Yes. Oh, well, then she did.

[Savannah James]

I did. Right. I'm like.

[Angie Martinez]

I don't feel like she's the type that would have said anything.

[Savannah James]

Like, she did. Right.

[Angie Martinez]

Gave you that joint.

[Savannah James]

She did. It was a good time.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, that's great. We're going to see more of that. I feel like. As you're like, do you feel like you're blossoming into another kind of I do phase of your life?

[Savannah James]

I do.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

I do. Is it scary?

[Angie Martinez]

Exciting.

[Savannah James]

It's exciting, but I think I would like to handle the amount of it because I know sometimes in these situations, it goes from 0 to 100, and I would like to, like, like, just pace myself a little bit. But definitely excited.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah. Slow progression, right?

[April McDaniel]

Slow.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. But you got her on your side. So listen, she going. She gonna fight the lady in the street for you. She g. She gonna tell you the truth.

[Colin Coward]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

She gonna not talk to anybody who don't fuck with you. Just a little duo. That's what friends are for. We didn't talk about spirituality much or anything like that in this conversation, but my final question, which is in the bowl, which is my favorite question, is a little bit. Bit so connected to, you know, what our higher purpose is and our higher connection is. And so the question in the bowl that's my favorite is if God were to text you right now, what would it say?

[April McDaniel]

I don't really like text.

[Angie Martinez]

So you would tell God not to text you?

[April McDaniel]

Like, God, can you keep it short?

[Savannah James]

I'm have to respond to that one.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, yeah.

[April McDaniel]

You'll have to respond to God's text because she doesn't like text.

[Angie Martinez]

You're terrible at text.

[Savannah James]

No, I like text. It's just, you know, be on my own time with the response.

[April McDaniel]

He'd be done. You're fired.

[Angie Martinez]

But what would it say if you got a text from him today? What would it say? I think mine today would say, you need some rest. I think today that's what Maya would say. Say.

[Savannah James]

I think mine would say, you're exactly where you're supposed to be. And I think.

[April McDaniel]

I think mines would say, enjoy the ride.

[Angie Martinez]

I mean, that's pretty good. There it is. That's Savannah April in real life.

[Savannah James]

Thank you, Angie.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, we didn't do the game.

[April McDaniel]

Okay. Come on.

[Angie Martinez]

You want to do it for. It's fine. Okay. So the pod is. So the pod is called. Everybody's crazy. This is the who is crazier of the two of you.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, I love this.

[Angie Martinez]

You love this already?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Who is crazier? Just in general, you are the crazier. Who is crazier when it comes to being protective of the people they love?

[Savannah James]

Me.

[Angie Martinez]

Really? Why do I feel like you're gonna be the crazier in all of these circumstances?

[Savannah James]

I hope not.

[April McDaniel]

I hope that God not.

[Angie Martinez]

Who is crazier when it comes to holding a grudge? Her. Dead to me forever.

[Savannah James]

Done.

[April McDaniel]

Cooked?

[Savannah James]

Done.

[Angie Martinez]

How much does it take to be in that box?

[Savannah James]

Give me a minute.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

I don't know. I don't have a timeline. She won't get there.

[April McDaniel]

When you go, you ain't coming back

[Angie Martinez]

forever. That is me. Who is crazier when it comes to being competitive. Her.

[Savannah James]

Do you really think I'm that competitive?

[April McDaniel]

I think you maybe neck and neck.

[Colin Coward]

50.

[Savannah James]

50.

[Angie Martinez]

Do you play games or do any like.

[Savannah James]

No, she don't play no games.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't do, like, game night or nothing or.

[Savannah James]

No, she does not really.

[Angie Martinez]

Or even like karaoke?

[April McDaniel]

You say, do I look like I play games? It's like I'm check.

[Angie Martinez]

That's a good answer. Who is crazier when it comes to being stubborn?

[Savannah James]

I would say me.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah, you Stubborn.

[Savannah James]

Yeah. Thank you.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Savannah James]

Yeah. I'm gonna take me.

[Colin Coward]

You are her.

[Angie Martinez]

You are crazier during an argument.

[Savannah James]

Her.

[Angie Martinez]

Me. Oh, I already know that.

[April McDaniel]

This tongue is lethal, slicing you to pieces. That's why I don't want to go there. I just say God bless, because if I go there, we going to hell.

[Angie Martinez]

Who is crazier when it comes to online shopping or shopping?

[Savannah James]

Her.

[April McDaniel]

Shopping. Me. Online shopping. Her?

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I like I.R.L. i like an I.R.L.

[Angie Martinez]

you got boxes? What on boxes and delivery. What?

[April McDaniel]

Loved it.

[Angie Martinez]

Of shit.

[Savannah James]

I'm never gonna use.

[Angie Martinez]

What's something crazy that you drink? Just that you've bought recently online.

[Savannah James]

A desk that I could put on top of my desk so I could stand up while I'm at my desk.

[Angie Martinez]

A what? You what?

[Savannah James]

Not a store,

[Angie Martinez]

a desk.

[Savannah James]

It's like a desk, like an adjustable desk that goes on top of the desk so I can. I don't have to sit at my desk.

[Angie Martinez]

And do you have to put it together? Does it require assembly?

[Savannah James]

It came together.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, it came together, delivered. And have you used it?

[April McDaniel]

You did.

[Savannah James]

I have.

[April McDaniel]

Love that for you.

[Angie Martinez]

I've been really good lately, but there was a period I was ordering just wild like. Or. So Instagram gets me to buy stuff.

[Savannah James]

Oh, Instagram is awful. That shop buy stuff on Instagram, Britney. It's so easy.

[Angie Martinez]

What is this? Yeah. No, because it online, it look cute and then it comes and it's like, I'm not playing. No, I done bought bathing suits. I bought all types of stuff on Instagram.

[Savannah James]

Bathing suit off Amazon.

[April McDaniel]

Oh, What?

[Angie Martinez]

What?

[April McDaniel]

No, that's craziness.

[Angie Martinez]

I'm going from Instagram. It's worse. They have, like, butt pads in it. You didn't expect those to be there. Like, what the fuck is this? Okay. Who's crazy when it comes to protecting their peace?

[Savannah James]

I think that's both of us.

[April McDaniel]

Both of us. But Savannah is better at boundaries. We both can kind of disappear in our own way, but she's better at what?

[Angie Martinez]

What?

[April McDaniel]

Yes. Lot of quiet time for both of us.

[Angie Martinez]

Who's giving the best gifts?

[Savannah James]

Me. I didn't. Ooh. I didn't. Ooh.

[Angie Martinez]

What? Tell us. Oh.

[Savannah James]

Cause she used to talk about me so bad. Cause I didn't give. I didn't give gifts at all.

[April McDaniel]

I love gifts.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, you do?

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

And you didn't give gifts at all?

[April McDaniel]

No. She didn't believe in no gifts. It was crazy. Now she's redeemed herself, though.

[Savannah James]

Cause you probably couldn't give.

[April McDaniel]

Yes.

[Angie Martinez]

It's probably because you have. Have a lot of things and so you're like, things.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

I love a gift. Love it.

[Angie Martinez]

Me too. I will stay.

[April McDaniel]

I love it.

[Angie Martinez]

I will stay at the. You know, in the parties when they give gift bags. I don't want that, but I still want it.

[April McDaniel]

Gift bag. 100%. I like the gift.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, what was the redeeming gift? Yes. You said she been redeeming herself. Like.

[April McDaniel]

Yes, she. A lot of good gifts.

[Angie Martinez]

What? She. What's a good gift?

[Savannah James]

What was your favorite gift that I got you?

[April McDaniel]

Oh, she bought me this Judith Lieberman bag.

[Savannah James]

Oh, that's so fake.

[Angie Martinez]

For you.

[April McDaniel]

That's one of my favorites.

[Angie Martinez]

What is it? What kind of bag is it? It's like a special.

[Savannah James]

It was a slight shortcake, right? That was. I got you the shortcake.

[April McDaniel]

No, Marnie got me the shortcake. You got me the French fries.

[Savannah James]

I got you the French fries.

[Angie Martinez]

The French fries. She's really happy. She really loves it.

[April McDaniel]

I do.

[Angie Martinez]

Is she a good gift to her?

[Savannah James]

No. For my. Was it 35?

[April McDaniel]

I don't know.

[Savannah James]

Is it not 30? So we go. We like to go to the Hermes when we go shopping around the world. And I have been wanting these plates, and I'm like, ah, let me get the plates. I buy one, buy two. Okay, whatever. She finished my collection.

[Angie Martinez]

Oh, that's a good gift.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Who's knowing the most team? Who's crazier when it comes to knowing the most tea?

[Savannah James]

Me.

[Angie Martinez]

Mm. You know, the tea. All of it.

[April McDaniel]

This is all of it. That's why I said don't be out. Nope.

[Colin Coward]

Yep.

[Angie Martinez]

And the last one. Who is crazier about protecting this friendship?

[Savannah James]

Both of us. Both of us.

[April McDaniel]

I think we don't. You know, I think you see a lot of, like, whether it's female business partners, female groups, female duos, there's not a lot, you know, And I think a lot of people allow emotion, ego, money, success to get in the way of, like, who they are. And I think for us, we wanna be the ones that someone's like, oh, they did it. And we want young women to see that, and we want Zori to see that and see my kids. Kids see it. And, you know, and also continuing to support women. Like, I think it's a lot of, like, I'll be honest, like, fake black girl magic and fake, like, girl tribe, but this shit is fake. Like, you go places and people are like, you know, so, like, really being

[Angie Martinez]

thoughtful, so performative, right?

[April McDaniel]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

So I think really being thoughtful around that and continuing to, like, be amongst women like yourself, like, other women that we admire. And it's okay to admire somebody. Like, Right? That's the difference. Like, you can admire somebody and not be a fan and not be weird. Like, that's where you lose me. But you can admire somebody, but also admire somebody and want to be you. Like, a lot of people admire people and want to be them. You don't want to be me.

[Angie Martinez]

Well, anybody who wants to be you Is not going to be a good friend.

[April McDaniel]

Correct. And I think, just like, you can admire somebody and admire the essence of them. Like, me and Savannah are not the same type of mom.

[Angie Martinez]

Really.

[April McDaniel]

No. She's a way better mom. She's a better mom in a different type of way.

[Angie Martinez]

I feel like, aw, is she a good mom?

[April McDaniel]

I'm militant.

[Savannah James]

She is a good mom, but, I

[April McDaniel]

mean, I'm a good mom, but it's only me. It's different when someone has a dad. You know what I mean? Like, my boys haven't had their dad around since they were, like, 3 and 10. So I have to be the nurturer, but I also have to be the disciplinary. So it's a level of grace that's given in that that I've come to terms with. So there's something that she can give that, like, my son is quick to call her when I say no. My youngest. What? Ask Savannah. She's more lenient. Like, she's like, girl, just let him stay out extra hours. Okay. I'll be like, how did you get in our house? Like, there's always a more, you know? Cause there is no yin and yang,

[Angie Martinez]

and that have to be both.

[April McDaniel]

Yeah, we'll talk about that.

[Angie Martinez]

Enough.

[April McDaniel]

That is a different. That's a different dynamic. So it is a little bit more. And I'm raising boys.

[Angie Martinez]

It's different. I don't know that. Better, though.

[April McDaniel]

Better for, I think, in the way you are able to show up, you know? And I. I would desire that for my kids, too. They love me. But my son is like, my wife is not gonna work because I work a lot. My son is very honest about it.

[Angie Martinez]

He's 16.

[April McDaniel]

He's like, my wife's not gonna work.

[Savannah James]

Yeah.

[Angie Martinez]

Wow.

[April McDaniel]

Because I think I work hard. You know what I mean? But they also benefited, you know? So I think that there are certain things, and I don't. I'm not upset by that. Like, I'm like, that's honest. I hope she don't work. Long as y' all not using my money, We're good.

[Angie Martinez]

You know what I mean?

[April McDaniel]

I think just, like, being honest with it.

[Angie Martinez]

But, yes, it's obvious why you guys are friends. It's like, you compliment each other's lives

[Savannah James]

so well, for sure.

[Angie Martinez]

Friends. We should end with the podcast. Everybody should check out the. Where do they. How do they. How do people support?

[April McDaniel]

We don't even know what we.

[Angie Martinez]

You don't even know. All right.

[April McDaniel]

Go find YouTube.

[Angie Martinez]

Look at you. Subscribe. Like, subscribe.

[April McDaniel]

Subscribe here, too.

[Angie Martinez]

Yeah.

[April McDaniel]

Subscribe, subscribe. Subscribe to us. Subscribe. Subscribe.

[Angie Martinez]

Subscribe.

[Savannah James]

Support.

[April McDaniel]

That's how you really support women. That's what I'm talking about.

[Angie Martinez]

Support women. IRL in real life.

[Savannah James]

Hi, it's Savannah James and April McDaniel in real life.

[Angie Martinez]

Hey, guys, thanks for watching. Make sure you subscribe, like, comment and check out all of the other episodes episodes we have on Angie Martinez IRL podcast.

[Savannah James]

This is an I heart podcast, Guaranteed human.